October 2014 – Page 7 – NBA Blog

Thunder waive Michael Jenkins, Richard Solomon, Talib Zanna

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced today that the team has waived guard Michael Jenkins, forwards Richard Solomon and Talib Zanna, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jenkins appeared in all seven preseason games for the Thunder and averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 17.5 minutes.

Solomon saw action in three preseason contests and recorded averages of 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.9 minutes.

Zanna played in seven preseason games for Oklahoma City and averaged 4.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 17.4 minutes.

Oklahoma City’s roster now stands at 15.

Victor Oladipo out with facial fracture

Second-year Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo will be out of action indefinitely due to a facial fracture suffered in practice Thursday, according to General Manager Rob Hennigan.

After being evaluated Thursday afternoon, Oladipo will undergo a corrective surgical procedure this Saturday (tomorrow). The injury occurred after taking an inadvertent elbow during a practice drill.

Oladipo (6’4”, 210, 5/4/92) has not played during the preseason due to a sprained MCL in his left knee. Last season (2013-14), he played in 80 games (44 starts) during his rookie campaign with Orlando, averaging 13.8 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 4.1 apg. and a team-high 1.61 stlpg. in 31.1 minpg. He was tied for 15th in the NBA in steals. Oladipo also ranked among all NBA rookies in scoring (2nd), rebounding (T-8th), assists (3rd), FG percentage (.419, 8th), three-point FG percentage (.327, T-7th), FT percentage (.780, 6th), steals (2nd) and minutes played (3rd).

Knicks sign Jordan Vandenberg

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed center Jordan Vandenberg. We are guessing that this is a non-guaranteed contract merely for the final few days of preseason.

Vandenberg, 7-1, 245-pounds, an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State University, averaged 2.0 points and 4.0 rebounds over 9.9 minutes in two games with New York’s entry at the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV. The Melbourne, Australia-native played five seasons (2009-14) with the Wolfpack after being granted a medical redshirt during his junior season. He averaged 4.6 points, on 68-percent shooting, with 4.7 rebounds and 1.41 blocks over 22.1 minutes in 32 games (all starts) his senior season.

Steve Nash out for season

Due to a recurring back injury, Lakers point guard Steve Nash will be out for the season, it was announced today. After consultations with Lakers medical staff, both Nash and the organization believe it is best to focus on rest and rehabilitation at this time.

“Being on the court this season has been my top priority and it is disappointing to not be able to do that right now,” said Nash. “I work very hard to stay healthy and unfortunately my recent setback makes performing at full capacity difficult. I will continue to support my team during this period of rest, and will focus on my long-term health.”

This could wind up being the end of Nash’s fantastic NBA career. The 2014-15 season was possibly going to be his last, but lingering health problems could push Nash into making it official.

“As disappointed as we are for ourselves and our fans, we’re even more disappointed for Steve,” said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “We know how hard he’s worked the last two years to try to get his body right for the rigors of the NBA, and how badly he wants to play, but unfortunately he simply hasn’t been able to get there up to this point in time. Steve has been a consummate professional, and we greatly appreciate his efforts.”

According to the Associated Press, “Nash has battled numerous injuries since joining the Lakers in July of 2012, appearing in just 65 of a possible 164 regular season games. The future Hall of Famer was limited to 15 games and 10 starts last season due to nerve damage from a leg injury he suffered the season before.”

Nets waive Willie Reed

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on forward/center Willie Reed, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

Reed, who was signed to the Nets’ training camp roster on September 25, 2014, posted averages of 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in two preseason contests.

The NBA regular season begins Tuesday, October 28. The Nets on paper appear to have a weaker roster this season than last.

Andrea Bargnani still not healthy yet

Here’s the New York Post reporting on Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani, who continues to be unable to help the team as he slowly — very slowly — recovers from his latest injury:

Andrea Bargnani said he’s not sure when he will return from a right hamstring strain and admitted he’s frustrated by the injury.

When two reporters from Italy interviewed him after he spoke to the New York media for the first time since being shut down Oct. 9, he said in Italian he underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday, but didn’t say what it revealed.

That Bargnani had an MRI exam reveals the Knicks are surprised his injury hasn’t healed yet. When he missed the Oct. 11 game at the Mohegan Sun, Knicks coach Derek Fisher indicated he could’ve played if it were the regular season.

Houston Rockets sign Geron Johnson, waive Akil Mitchell

The Houston Rockets have signed guard Geron Johnson and requested waivers on forward Akil Mitchell, General Manager Daryl Morey announced today.

Johnson (6-3, 203, Memphis), appeared in 67 contests at Memphis University holding career averages of 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 28.3 minutes. An Ohio native, Johnson spent his junior and senior season as a Memphis Tiger after transferring from Garden City Community College (KS). In his senior season at Memphis, he guided his team to a 2014 NCAA Tournament win over George Washington.

Mitchell (6-9, 230, Virginia), appeared in 133 contests and held career averages of 6.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists as a Virginia Cavalier. He was a participant on Houston’s Las Vegas and Orlando Summer League teams, but has not appeared in a preseason game.

Suns forward T.J. Warren suffers thumb injury

Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren has sustained a small crack in a bone in his left thumb. He will be treated with a splint and rest. There is no timetable for his return.

Warren, a rookie from North Carolina State, was selected by the Suns with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He has averaged 5.0 points and 12.2 minutes in five preseason appearances.

Sixers Dancers have new Signature Dress

The Philadelphia 76ers today unveiled the Sixers Dancers “Signature Dress” by Nicole Miller.

All 22 members of the Sixers Dancers will wear the dress – created in the team’s signature blue and red colors, and accented with a silver Sixers logo pin – on the court during pregame introductions and the National Anthem at the Philadelphia 76ers’ Opening Night on Saturday, November 1 and at every Sixers home game this season. The team will also wear the dress at select off-court appearances throughout the season.

Vanilla Ice to perform at Minnesota Timberwolves home opener

Vanilla Ice to perform at Timberwolves home opener

Ice, ice, baby.

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that multi-platinum recording artist Vanilla Ice will perform at halftime of the team’s regular season home opener against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Back long, long ago, Vanilla Ice topped the charts for 16 weeks with his multi-platinum breakthrough album To The Extreme, which became the fastest selling hip-hop album of all time. Featuring the smash hit “Ice Ice Baby,” To The Extreme , peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and sold 17 million copies worldwide.

A two-time American Music Award winner, Vanilla Ice currently stars in “The Vanilla Ice Project” that recently aired its 4th season on the DIY Network.

We know that you care. You do. It’s Vanilla Ice. Whether you want to sing/rap along, laugh or whatever, you are fascinated by this. And we’re happy to inform you of it.