Examining Bulls forward Taj Gibson

Nick Friedell of ESPN reports:

Examining Bulls forward Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson will be a jack of all trades for Tom Thibodeau this season. After starting most of last year under Vinny Del Negro, Gibson continued to show improvement as the year progressed, averaging nine points and almost eight rebounds a game while playing in all 82 regular-season contests. He proved to be one of the biggest steals of the draft at No. 26, earning an invitation to play in the Rookie/Sophomore Game during All Star Weekend. Unlike most rookies, the USC alum embraced the concept of defense, and he became a Del Negro favorite because of his team-first attitude. At 25, he is more mature than most young players who come into the league.

With the addition of Carlos Boozer, Gibson will come off the bench this season, but he still is expected to get plenty of minutes as one of the better sixth men in the league. He can play both forward positions and will most likely be used as a defensive presence late in games. After struggling to find his offense in the beginning of last year, Gibson has spent a lot of time in the gym working on his jumper, and he should be able to expand his range.


Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson handles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison defends during the first quarter of game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago on April 22, 2010.  UPI/Brian Kersey Photo via Newscom

Tim Thomas will not return to Mavericks

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports (via blog):

Tim Thomas will not return to Mavericks

Tim Thomas has decided not to return to the Mavericks because of the situation with his ailing wife.

Her condition, which Thomas and his family prefers to keep private, forced the 6-10 forward to stay with her much of last season.

He played with the Mavericks for the first half of the season, averaging 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 18 games. But he left the team in January – with the Mavericks’ blessing – to care for his wife.

Charlotte Bobcats waive Erick Dampier

Charlotte Bobcats waive Erick Dampier

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived center Erick Dampier.

“We explored several trade possibilities involving Erick, but ultimately we have been unable to find a viable option that we felt made our team better,” Higgins said.  “Out of respect to Erick, we have decided to release him at this time so he may pursue opportunities with other teams prior to training camp.”

The Bobcats acquired Dampier, along with guard Matt Carroll and forward Eduardo Najera, on July 13, 2010, in exchange for centers Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca.

In 14 NBA seasons, Dampier has played in 921 games for Indiana, Golden State and Dallas, with career averages of 7.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.  In 55 games with Dallas last season, Dampier averaged 6.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

The Charlotte Bobcats, who became the NBA’s 30th team when they joined the league in 2004-05, finished the 2009-10 season with a franchise-best 44-38 overall record (31-10 at home) and first-ever playoff appearance.