Clippers statement on LeBron James meeting

“We can only surmise how the meeting went from our standpoint, and from our standpoint, it went very well. We approached it in a very honest and direct way, and we felt that their reaction was considerate and receptive.”

“We’re not going to go into any details about the meeting’s specifics. But it was our goal to present tangible and very obvious reasons as to why we think LeBron choosing our organization is his best option: we clearly have the best team already in place for him to join, we have the best city, the best arena, the best practice facility – overall the best situation.”

“By communicating all of that in a sincere way, we accomplished our preliminary goal.”

“Now what we can do is wait and see how it all resonates, plus continue to be comprehensive in our efforts to improve our team for the upcoming season.”

“No matter what, we’re getting at least one great new player this summer: his name is Blake Griffin.”

Gilbert Arenas new jersey number is 9

CSN Washington reports:

Gilbert Arenas new jersey number is 9

Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas has chosen a new number for the 2010-2011 season.  Arenas is listed as No.9 on the Wizard’s website.

Agent Zero wanted to change his jersey from No. 0, a number he has worn since college,  in hopes for a fresh start and a new image after a tumultuous season of a 50-game suspension and a felony conviction for bringing guns into the locker room.

InsideHoops.com editor says:

There are only a small number of gun names/references that pretty much everyone knows. Bigger guns like an Ak-47, M-16. A medium-sized one like an Uzi. And smaller ones like a 45 or a 9. That’s all I can think of. So, really, is 9 the best choice for a guy who was just suspended for gun-related issues?

Anyway, I don’t care much about jersey numbers. I’m about basketball. So, here’s hoping that Gilbert has a great return to the NBA. The combo of John Wall at point and Arenas as a scoring guard should be terrific to watch and that’s what I’ll be anticipating next season.

Celtics sign rookie Avery Bradley

Celtics sign rookie Avery Bradley

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed guard Avery Bradley.  All rookies selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract, so this is a standard, expected signing that must adhere to the rookie salary structure.

Bradley, a 6’2” guard, was the team’s First Round pick (19th overall) in the 2010 NBA Draft.  The former Texas Longhorn averaged 11.6 points, 1.29 steals and shot 37.5 percent from beyond the three point arc during his only season in college.  The Tacoma, Washington native was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and also was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. As a senior at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, Bradley led the team to a 33-0 record was named ESPNRISE.com High School National Player of the Year and was ranked the number one prospect nationally by ESPNU.

Raptors will keep Amir Johnson

Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports:

The Raptors aren’t waiting around for Chris Bosh.

Raptors will keep Amir Johnson

While their highest-profile free agent meets with prospective suitors, the Raptors have locked up Amir Johnson on the first day of NBA free agency.

Teams are precluded from announcing any signings until July 8 but Johnson’s agent, the well-respected Bill Duffy, confirmed the signing.

Johnson, who broke out in an excellent 2009-10 season, has agreed to a five-year, $34 million contract.

“It was very important to him to get something done,” said Duffy. “He really wanted to be there, he loves the team, the city, the fans. It was a good fit.”

The 23-year-old Johnson, a 6-foot-9 power forward, averaged 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game with the Raptors last season. But it was his nightly effort and athleticism that endeared him to his coaches and teammates and led Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo to make signing him an off-season priority.

Channing Frye will stay with Suns

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports:

The price of keeping Suns big men in Phoenix is rising.

Channing Frye will stay with Suns

Channing Frye agreed to re-sign with the Suns for five years and $30 million, $8 million more than the Suns figured to pay.

Amar’e Stoudemire has yet to get the five-year offer from the Suns he wants, making a league source call a return to Phoenix “highly unlikely.” He met two hours late Wednesday with Miami, and his agent said he received a better offer from another team Thursday and plans to go to New York for a meeting Monday with the Knicks…

Frye can’t sign a new deal until Thursday.

Frye averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, making an argument to be the NBA’s top long-range shooting big man with 43.9 percent 3-point shooting (sixth in the NBA) and 172 made 3s (fourth in the NBA).