Friday night the Golden State Warriors, playing at home, lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, who enjoyed very good games from Baron Davis and Chris Kaman.

As you surely recall, Davis used to be a Warrior and helped inject some nice life into the team while he was there.

Baron’s buddy Stephen Jackson, currently an unhappy Warrior who has requested to be traded, does not support any boos from Golden State fans in Baron’s direction.

The AP reports:

Jackson took exception to the fans’ reception of Davis, who was making his second appearance in Oakland since leaving the Warriors. Davis was booed every time he touched the ball.

“Baron is a great player,” Jackson said. “What upsets me is they boo him but they have short memories. They forgot the reason they’re still coming here is because of what he did when he was here. The organization was in the trash can before we had that year.”

The way I see it, the Warriors currently have so many issues, the last thing any members of the team need to worry about is how fans react to former players or anyone wearing the wrong jersey.

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that the team has entered into a broadcast agreement with KWKW AM 1330. KWKW will broadcast 31 home games and 17 road games in Spanish during the 2009-10 season beginning with the Clippers’ home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, November 7th. Calling the games for KWKW will be Celso Gaspar.

KWKW is Los Angeles’ first Spanish Radio Station and has been under continuous ownership by the Kalmenson family controlled Lotus Communications since 1962. KWKW is the flagship station of the ESPN Deportes Radio Network.

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and Andrew Bynum added 26 on his 22nd birthday for the Lakers, who began the evening with a ceremony unveiling the franchise’s 15th gold-and-purple championship banner, earned four months ago after defeating Orlando in the finals… Eric Gordon scored 21 points for the Clippers, who lost their ninth in a row to the Lakers. Chris Kaman added 18 points and 16 rebounds, Marcus Camby had 14 points, and reserve Craig Smith 12. Baron Davis was held to two points on 1 of 10 shooting while hampered by a bruised right foot that he soaked in ice afterward… Ron Artest scored 10 points in his debut in the starting lineup. Pau Gasol sat out with a strained right hamstring and was replaced by Odom, who had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Los Angeles Clippers’ rookie forward Blake Griffin suffered a non-displaced stress fracture of his left patella during the Clippers’ last preseason game vs. the New Orleans Hornets on Friday, October 23rd.

Griffin, who underwent an MRI yesterday which confirmed the diagnosis, was examined by both team physician Dr. Steven Shimoyama as well as specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Based on communication between the two physicians, it has been determined that Griffin will be sidelined for approximately six weeks.

During this time Griffin will receive bone stimulation and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) treatment.

Griffin originally suffered a bruised left patella during practice on Thursday, September 24th and was eventually cleared to resume full basketball activity.

Griffin, the first overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, averaged 13.7 points, 8.10 rebounds and 28.0 minutes in seven preseason games played.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Power forward Craig Smith, a new member of the Los Angeles Clippers, has been making a strong impression on his new teammates. That being, stay away from him or bad things may happen to you.

Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times reports:

Rhino’s wreckage has taken out two teammates. First, it was rookie power forward Blake Griffin’s knee (four days before training camp), and on Friday, Marcus Camby, though that was more of a fluke when Camby rolled over on his left ankle and sprained it close to the end of practice.

Camby was clearly in pain and sat on the floor for several minutes before he was able to hobble back to the training room. He is doubtful with the Clippers facing three exhibition games in the next four days, starting today against Utah at Staples Center.

Earlier in the week, the 6-foot-7, 250-pound Smith seemed genuinely mystified about how Griffin got hurt in the first place in their informal scrimmage before training camp.

The bone bruise kept Griffin out until the second game of the exhibition season.

Hopefully Smith has not hurt any of his fellow Clippers during the time it took me to post this entry.

The Los Angeles Clippers today exercised the club’s third-year contract option on guard Eric Gordon and the fourth-year contract option on forward Al Thornton.

Gordon, who was selected by the Clippers as the seventh overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, begins his second NBA season and is now signed through the 2010-11 campaign. Under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Clippers had the right to exercise this contract option.

Gordon turned in a stellar rookie campaign, averaging 16.1 points in 78 games played last season, earning him a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team as well as seeing him finish fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.

Thornton, the 14th overall selection by the Clippers in the 2007 NBA Draft is now also signed through the 2010-11 season, with the Clippers holding the right of first refusal. In two seasons with the Clippers, Thornton has tallied 15.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Good NBA seats are expensive. Fans shelling out big money to sit near the court should expect a good view of the action.

But what about when players get off the bench and remain standing for a while? On the one hand, it’s nice to see guys cheer their teammates. On the other, these giants prevent fans from seeing what they paid to see.

The Cavs are one team with players who remained standing a lot, and now the league office has reportedly taken action.

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

The NBA has issued a memo to its teams directing players on the bench to remain seated during games. Game officials will be keeping a closer eye and will issue faster warnings and possible technical fouls if not followed. Players are permitted to cheer, but standing during regular-game action and blocking the fans’ views apparently isn’t going to be allowed.

That goes for Tuesday night’s first preseason game at The Q, where the Cavs will host the Charlotte Bobcats in the first of eight practice games before the season opener.

The Cavs weren’t exactly thrilled that their custom has been legislated.

“It is hard to take that out of the game,” LeBron James said. “Part of the game is emotions, your teammates are all you have. That was part of the reason we played great basketball, because we cheered each other.”

I support the league protecting the paying fan’s view.

The AP reports: Anthony Morrow scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half and the Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Clippers 108-101 on Sunday night in the preseason opener for both teams. Kelenna Azubuike added 19 points and 10 rebounds and Corey Maggette had 18 for the Warriors. Stephen Jackson scored 11 and Anthony Rudolph added 10. DeAndre Jordan recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers. He made all eight of his shots. Eric Gordon added 19 points and Chris Kaman had 13.

The Los Angeles Clippers today added coaching veteran John Lucas as an assistant coach to Head Coach and General Manager Mike Dunleavy’s staff.

Lucas joins the Clippers after last serving as the Head Coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2001-03. While in Cleveland, Lucas coached current Clippers Ricky Davis and Brian Skinner. Lucas came to the Cavs after working as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets for three seasons.

Overall, Lucas brings six years of NBA head coaching experience as he led the Philadelphia 76ers from 1994-96 and the San Antonio Spurs from 1992-94 with an overall NBA head coaching record of 173-258 (.401). While in Philadelphia, Lucas also served as general manager and vice president of basketball operations. As head coach of the Spurs, he led the team to a 94-49 (.657) record and two consecutive playoff appearances. In addition to his NBA coaching experience, Lucas was the owner and head coach of the Miami Tropics of the United States Basketball League (USBL) from 1992-93 and led the Tropics to a 38-9 record and two USBL championships.

Lucas began his 14-year NBA playing career during the 1976-77 season after he was made the first overall selection in the 1976 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. Lucas played for six different teams during his career, including Houston, Golden State, Washington, San Antonio, Milwaukee and Seattle and was named to the NBA All-Rookie team in 1977 after averaging 11.1 points on .477 (388-814) FG% with 5.6 assists per game for the Rockets. In 928 career NBA games, Lucas averaged 10.7 points with 7.0 assists and is currently in 21st place among the NBA all-time assist leaders (6,454 assists). He also played in 45 playoff contests and averaged 11.2 points on .451 (198-439) FG%, including a career-high 15.6 points in 12 postseason games for the Bucks in 1987.

In 1990, Lucas founded and became President of John Lucas Resources, Houston, Texas, a network of drug treatment programs aimed specifically at helping athletes.

A 1976 graduate of the University of Maryland, Lucas earned All-America honors in 1975 and 1976 as well as a bachelor’s degree in Education. He later continued his studies at the University of San Francisco where he earned his master’s degree, also in Education.

The addition of Lucas completes Dunleavy’s coaching staff of Tony Brown, Kim Hughes and Fred Vinson.

The Los Angeles Clippers today re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Brian Skinner. Per team policy terms of the contract were not released. InsideHoops.com assumes (but has not confirmed) that it’s a very short contract for the league minimium.

In 51 games played with the Clippers last season, Skinner averaged 4.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 16.5 minutes per game. Over his 11 year NBA career, Skinner has tallied 4.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 18.3 minutes per game.

On June 30th, the Clippers announced that Skinner had decided not to exercise his player contract option for the 2009-10 NBA season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Skinner was originally drafted by the Clippers in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft.

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that the team has re-signed restricted free agent forward Steve Novak. Per team policy terms of the deal were not announced.

In 71 games played for the Clippers last season, Novak averaged 6.9 points in 16.4 minutes per game. Completing his third NBA season, the sharpshooter out of Marquette connected on 119-286 three-pointers (.416) on the year.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Novak is a tall dude who can toss in some outside jumpers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed restricted free-agent guard Ramon Sessions to an offer sheet. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Milwaukee Bucks will have seven days upon receiving the offer sheet to match Minnesota’s offer.

SEPT. 11 UPDATE:  The Bucks did not match the offer.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the deal was for four years and $16 million.

“We are excited about the opportunity to have Ramon Sessions on our team,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Ramon has the ability to play both guard positions, and thus will be able to complement the members of our current backcourt. At only 23, Ramon also has the potential to improve and fits our plan of building a young, up-tempo team with championship contending potential.”

Sessions, a 6-3 guard from Nevada-Reno, had a break-out season in 2008-09, averaging 12.4 points (.445 FG%) and 5.7 assists in 27.5 minutes per game in 79 contests (39 starts). His 5.7 assists per game led the Bucks and ranked 18th in the NBA. Sessions scored in double figures 53 times (12 times 20+ points), dished out 10+ assists on 10 occasions and posted nine double-doubles during the season. Additionally, he finished the year with a 2.97:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, the ninth-best ratio in the NBA. He scored a career-high 44 points, along with 12 assists, against Detroit on Feb. 7.

In 2007-08 as a rookie, Sessions averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 17 games. He set a Bucks franchise record with 24 assists against Chicago on April 14, while also tallying 20 points. He became the first Bucks player to notch 20 points and 20 assists in the same game. Selected by Milwaukee in the second round (56th pick) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Sessions has averaged 11.6 points, 6.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game in 96 contests (46 starts).

Euroleague.net reports: Armani Jeans Milano has kept adding to its firepower with the signing this weekend of swingman Alex Acker, a former top-ten scorer in the Euroleague. Acker (195, 26) has spent two years in the Euroleague and finished the first, with Olympiacos in 2006-07, as the Euroleague’s ninth-best scorer, with an average of 14.3 points in 33 minutes per game. Acker was ranked that season’s 12th overall player according to performance index rating while leading the Reds to within a victory of the Final Four.

Talk world hoops in the InsideHoops international basketball forum.

The Los Angeles Clippers today waived forward Mark Madsen.

Madsen was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 22nd along with Sebastian Telfair and Craig Smith in exchange for Quentin Richardson.

The Clippers’ roster currently stands at 12 players.

Read NBA fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Jason Williams, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. We’ll post contract info later today. We’re guessing it’s a very short deal for the league minimum or something close.

“Jason (Williams) provides depth and leadership to our backcourt,” said Smith.  “He is a veteran point guard that knows what it takes to help us reach our ultimate goal.  We are excited to add him to our team.”

Williams (6’1”, 190, 11/18/75) did not play during the 2008-09 season after announcing his retirement on Sept. 26, 2008.  He last played in 67 games during the 2007-08 campaign with Miami, averaging 8.8 ppg., 4.6 apg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.24 stlpg. in 28.1 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, Williams has played in 679 career NBA regular season games with Sacramento, Memphis and Miami, averaging 11.4 ppg., 6.3 apg., 2.4 rpg. and 1.28 stlpg. in 31.2 minpg.  He has also played in 53 career playoff contests, averaging 9.8 ppg., 3.7 apg. and 2.2 rpg. in 29.1 minpg.  Williams was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1998-99, currently stands as Memphis’ all-time leader in assists (2,041) and helped Miami capture the 2005-06 NBA Championship.

InsideHoops.com editor says: J-Will, aka “White Chocolate,” is back! Well, sort of. He’s old now and will add bench depth at the point guard spot. Tough to say how good he’ll actually be if forced to ever play real minutes. Usually when a team seeks an old veteran they want a tough, smart, high basketball-IQ player. Williams was talented but not a defensive stopper and a fun, wild player. Still, he can probably still keep defenders on their toes in limited minutes. Though, he’ll be 34 in November. But, maybe he’s spent his time getting into incredible shape or something. We’ll have to wait and see.

Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired veteran swingman Rasual Butler and cash from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for a conditional second round draft pick in 2016.

Acccording to the Los Angeles Times, “the Hornets are expected to save about $8 million with the trade, including Butler’s $3.9-million contract and luxury tax implications. Meanwhile, the Clippers are absorbing his salary, thanks to a $7.3-million trade exception they had after shipping Zach Randolph last month to the Memphis Grizzlies.”

“Today’s move allows us to increase our financial flexibility while at the same time gives us an opportunity to improve at that position,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “Due to the depth we have, it will allow us to open up minutes and opportunities for Julian Wright, Morris Peterson and rookie Marcus Thornton, all of whom we anticipate great contributions from this season.”

“We are very excited to add Rasual to our roster,” stated Clippers Head Coach and General Manager Mike Dunleavy. “We believe he is another piece who will help us get back to being a competitive playoff team.”

The seven-year NBA veteran registered his most productive season in 2008-09, averaging 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 31.9 minutes while playing in all 82 games (74 starts) for the Hornets. Butler also connected on 40 percent of his field goals and 37 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line last season. In five playoff games for the Hornets in 2009, Butler tallied 10.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest.

Over his career, Butler has tallied 8.3 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

Butler was originally drafted out of La Salle University by the Miami Heat in the second round (53rd overall selection) of the 2002 NBA Draft. After three seasons in Miami, Butler was eventually sent to the Hornets on August 2, 2005 as part of a five team, 13 player trade.

The Philadelphia native finished his four-year collegiate career as the fourth-leading scorer (19.1 ppg) in La Salle history and ranked fourth on the Explorers’ all-time three-point field goals made (282 3FGM) list.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This trade saves the Hornets money but makes them a bit worse, while the Clippers improve a bit.

Read fan reaction and post your own comments in this forum topic.

The Los Angeles Clippers today waived guard Mike Taylor.

Taylor played in 51 games for the Clippers last season, making five starts and averaging 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 15.1 minutes.

The first-year player was drafted by Portland on June 26, 2008 and then traded to the Clippers in exchange for a 2009 second round draft pick.

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed free agent forward Tim Thomas. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. We’ll add contract info later today.

Thomas (6-10, 230), a 12-year veteran, was the seventh overall selection in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and has played with six teams during his career (Philadelphia, Milwaukee, New York, Chicago, Phoenix and L.A. Clippers) including two stints with both New York and Chicago. In 806 career games, he holds averages of 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting .436 from the field, .369 from behind-the-arc and .757 from the foul line.

The Patterson, N.J., native has seen action in seven different Playoff runs (55 games). Thomas’ postseason averages show an increase in every major category over his career regular season numbers with averages of 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting .468 from the field, .436 from three-point range and .772 from the foul line.

Thomas was a standout at Villanova University where he played for one season before making himself eligible for the NBA Draft. In his only season as a Wildcat, Thomas averaged 16.9 points and 6.0 rebounds. He was named The Sporting News Freshman of the Year and Big East Rookie of the Year.

“We are excited to welcome Tim to Dallas as part of the Mavericks family,” President of Basketball Operation/General Manager Donnie Nelson said. “His versatility, post season experience and outside shooting are valuable assets that will fortify our bench. Throughout his career, Tim has established himself as a formidable long-range threat and we look forward to him filling that role on our roster.”

Los Angeles Clippers’ rookie forward Blake Griffin will spend the next three to four weeks resting a strain to his right shoulder which he incurred in the third game of the Clippers’ five game Las Vegas Summer League schedule last week. Griffin, named the League’s Most Outstanding Player, went on to average 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds.

Griffin will maintain his normal lower body training and conditioning regimen, and will be further evaluated regularly. He was examined and diagnosed Tuesday by Clippers’ team physician Dr. Steven Shimoyama. A second examination today by Los Angeles-based specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum confirmed the earlier diagnosis and suggested protocol.

As a precaution, Griffin will be held out of the USA Basketball National Team Mini-Camp to which he was invited and which starts today in Las Vegas.

Quentin Richardson is being traded all around the league this off-season.

The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired guard Sebastian Telfair, forward Craig Smith and forward Mark Madsen from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for forward Quentin Richardson.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Madsen and Smith have expiring contracts, as does Richardson, and Telfair has two years left, at $2.5 million and $2.7 million.

Richardson, who was re-acquired by the Clippers in a trade with Memphis on July 17, joins his fifth NBA team in the Timberwolves.

“We are really excited to add these three players to our team,” Clippers General Manager and Head Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “This move really gives some much needed depth.”

Telfair, 23, averaged a career-high 9.8 points, 4.6 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 27.9 minutes in 75 games last year for the Timberwolves. A five-year NBA veteran who was drafted by Portland with the 13th overall selection in the 2004 NBA Draft, Telfair joins his fourth NBA team. A 6-foot point guard, Telfair brings career averages of 8.2 points, 4.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 349 total NBA games to Los Angeles.

A former New York City high school legend before being drafted by the Trail Blazers, Telfair led Brooklyn’s Abraham Lincoln High School to three PSAL titles and one state championship en route to becoming New York’s all-time leading prep scorer, surpassing Kenny Anderson.

Inglewood native and former Fairfax High School star Smith returns to Los Angeles after averaging a career-high 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 19.7 minutes in 74 games last season for Minnesota. A career 55 percent shooter from the field, Smith shot 56.3 percent in 2008-09. Smith has appeared in 233 career NBA games since his rookie year of 2006-07, when he played in all 82 contests for the Timberwolves.

Smith was drafted by Minnesota with the 36th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after a standout career at Boston College that saw him average 18.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 130 games from 2002-2006. Smith finished his Eagles career as the school’s all-time leading rebounder (1,114) and second in points (2,349) and was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first Team in 2005-06.

A nine-year NBA veteran, the 33-year old Madsen is back in the city where he started his NBA career from 2000-2003 as the 29th overall pick out of Stanford University in the 2000 draft by the Lakers. The 6-foot-9, 255 pound Madsen has played in 453 career NBA games and averaged 2.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists in 11.8 minutes. Madsen joined the Timberwolves in 2003 and played in 19 contests, starting one and average 0.3 points and 0.9 rebounds last season.

InsideHoops.com editor says: At this rate, Quentin Richardson will have been traded to all 30 NBA teams before the season even starts. In fact, there’s breaking news now that Quentin Richardson has been traded to InsideHoops.com for 27 GMail accounts, some gum, and the rights to Manute Bol. The NBA should establish a new league rule stating that all trades must involve Q-Rich in some way.

Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.