Month: September 2014

Mavericks re-sign center Bernard James

Mavericks re-sign center Bernard James

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have re-signed center Bernard James. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

James (6-10, 230) was originally drafted by the Mavericks with the 33rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He averages 2.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 7.9 minutes in 76 career games (11 starts) with Dallas.

The Savannah, Ga., native is a former Staff Sergeant who served six years in the Air Force including three tours to Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar. In his senior season at Florida State, James averaged 10.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while being named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive team. James also won the Most Courageous Award by the United States Basketball Writers of America.

Clippers sign Chris Douglas-Roberts and Ekpe Udoh

clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that they have signed free agent forward/guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and forward/center Ekpe Udoh.

“Chris and Ekpe are two versatile players who bring depth and a strong presence to our team,” Clippers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “We are excited to add them to the roster.”

Douglas-Roberts, 27, appeared in 49 games (eight starts) last season with the Charlotte Bobcats averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.7 minutes per game. During his five-year NBA career, the Detroit native has appeared in 210 career regular season games with New Jersey, Milwaukee, Dallas and Charlotte. He holds career averages of 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.4 minutes per game.

Originally drafted 40th overall in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets, Douglas-Roberts played three seasons at the University of Memphis, where he was a consensus first-team All-American and the Conference USA Player of the Year as a junior in 2008. During his junior season, he averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists, helping to lead the Tigers to the National Championship game. Douglas-Roberts averaged 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 109 games (100 starts) at Memphis.

Udoh, 27, appeared in 42 games (14 starts) last season with the Milwaukee Bucks averaging 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game. During his four-year NBA career, the Oklahoma City native has appeared in 237 games (52 starts) with Golden State and Milwaukee. He holds career averages of 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game.

Originally drafted sixth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by Golden State, Udoh played three seasons of college basketball. His first two seasons of college were spent at the University of Michigan before transferring to Baylor University for his junior season. At Baylor, Udoh was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and a second-team All-Big 12 selection. He averaged 13.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.7 assists in 36 games (all starts) helping lead the Bears to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.

Andre Dawkins added to Heat camp roster

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on the Heat:

The Miami Heat’s Duke replenishment program continues.

In the wake of losing forward Shane Battier to retirement and ESPN’s broadcast booth, the Heat have added a third former Blue Devil to their training-camp roster, with a recent workout by undrafted Duke guard Andre Dawkins cementing an invitation.

Dawkins joins former Duke players Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts as ex-Blue Devils who have been added this offseason.

“He had about 12 or 13 teams who had expressed interest,” agent John Spencer said Tuesday of Dawkins, “but we had already agreed a while back that he was going to be with them come training camp.”

Roy Hibbert donates $1 million to Georgetown

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on some goodwill:

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert donated $1 million to Georgetown University on Tuesday. Hibbert, who played for the Hoyas from 2004-08, made the donation to the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center in honor of the school’s hall of fame basketball coach.

“I am deeply indebted to Georgetown University and the basketball program for all they have done for me,” Hibbert said in a press release. “I put in a lot of hard work to get where I am, but I was given a tremendous amount of guidance both on and off the floor from coach Thompson III and I wouldn’t be here without him.”

Steve Nash will remain on Lakers roster

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News blog with an update on the Lakers and old point guard Steve Nash:

Steve Nash will remain on Lakers roster

Despite a tumultuous two-year stretch in which he has taken more visits to the trainer’s room than the basketball court, Steve Nash will remain on the Lakers’ roster. The deadline for the Lakers to use the so-called stretch provision passed over the weekend, ensuring that Nash will finish out the final year of his contract worth $9.7 million.

This development is hardly surprising. The Lakers leaned toward retaining Nash ever since last season, mindful that waiving him would compromise the team’s financial flexibility since it would owe a third of his salary for the following three seasons. The Lakers would have only gone down this route had they acquired LeBron James and/or Carmelo Anthony and would need to clear up immediate cap space.

Heat reassign longtime assistants McAdoo, Rothstein

Here’s the Miami Herald reporting on the Heat coaching staff:

Heat reassign longtime assistants McAdoo, Rothstein

Two longtime assistant coaches for the Heat will no longer be regular contributors to the day-to-day operations of the team.

Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo and Heat coaching legend Ron Rothstein have been reassigned by the team, the Miami Herald confirmed Monday. McAdoo and Rothstein were both originally hired as assistants by Heat president Pat Riley. Yahoo Sports first reported the story.

With McAdoo and Rothstein likely off the bench, assistants David Fizdale, Dan Craig and Juwan Howard are expected to assume more prominent roles.

Hornets rookie Noah Vonleh out 6-8 weeks after surgery

Hornets rookie Noah Vonleh out 6-8 weeks after surgery

Charlotte Hornets forward Noah Vonleh underwent successful surgery today to repair a sports hernia suffered in a recent workout. The surgery was performed in Charlotte by Dr. B. Todd Henneford. Vonleh is expected to miss approximately 6-8 weeks.

The ninth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Vonleh was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-Big Ten in 2013-14 at Indiana University after averaging 11.3 points, a Big Ten-high 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game.

Warriors sign Aaron Craft, James Michael McAdoo and Mitchell Watt

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent guard Aaron Craft, along with free agent forwards James Michael McAdoo and Mitchell Watt to contracts, the team announced today.

All three rookies played for the Warriors at the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Craft, 23, played four seasons collegiately at Ohio State, where he earned the NABC and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards this past season as a senior. The 6’2” guard amassed career averages of 8.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 148 games (second most in school history) and was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team in each of his four seasons. With the Warriors Summer League squad, the Findlay, OH, native averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.60 steals and 22.2 minutes off the bench over five games. He led the team in assists and steals during the Summer League.

McAdoo, 21, played three seasons at the University of North Carolina, amassing career averages of 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.22 steals in 24.9 minutes over 108 games. Last season, as a junior, the 6’9” forward earned Second Team All-ACC honors after averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.32 steals in 34 contests. In five games with the Warriors Summer League team (all starts), the Norfolk, VA, native averaged 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.00 steal and 1.20 blocks in a team-leading 29.0 minutes per game. McAdoo’s father, Ronnie, is a member of Old Dominion University’s Hall of Fame and played professionally in France, Spain and Japan.

Watt, 24, has played professionally the last two seasons in Israel, averaging 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 blocks in 34 games last season with Ironi Nes Ziona. Prior to making his professional debut with Galil Gilboa in 2012-13, Watt played collegiately for four seasons at the University of Buffalo. As a senior in 2011-12, the 6’10” forward averaged 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 blocks over 31 games en route to earning MAC Player of the Year honors and All-MAC First Team recognition.

Craft will wear uniform #2, McAdoo #20 and Watt #21. The Warriors roster currently stands at 16 players.

Thaddeus Young happy for new start with Timberwolves

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer blog reporting on Thaddeus Young, whose time on the 76ers is over as he starts fresh with the young Minnesota Timberwolves:

Thaddeus Young happy for new start with Timberwolves

Young, who will earn $9.1 million this season and has a $9.7 million player option for the 2015-2016 season, can’t wait to get started in his new setting.

“It feels great,” Young said. “They came after me and they sent two guys and a pick over to get me so that says a lot about what the organization wanted and they went and got me. I’m very happy, very excited.”

Young, who averaged 17.9 points and 6.0 rebounds, is expected to be one of the Wolves leaders. He is just 26 years old but is entering his eighth NBA season.

“It’s a great thing for the younger guys, it’s a great thing for me,” Young said. “I can step into a situation were I already kind of know some of the concepts and I can help the young guys get better.”