NBA approves modifications to instant replay rules

The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved several modifications to the instant replay rules that will go into effect for the upcoming 2010-11 season, the league announced today. Instant replay may now be used:

– During the last two minutes of regulation and the entire duration of any overtime period, to determine whether the ball touched the rim and thus whether the shot clock should be adjusted.

– During the last two minutes of regulation play and the entire duration of any overtime period, to determine which of two players on opposing teams caused the ball to become out-of-bounds. This modification expanded the previous rule to include the entirety of an overtime period instead of just the last two minutes of an overtime period.

– During a replay review of an out-of-bounds call, to determine when the ball is out of bounds for purposes of adjusting the game clock and shot clock.

– At any point during the game, to determine which player should attempt free throws after a foul occurred.

– At any point during a game, to determine whether a foul that was called a clear-path-to-the-basket foul met all the criteria of a clear-path-to-the basket foul.

The NBA first instituted instant replay prior to the 2002-03 season to review last second shots and fouls at the end of each period. Through the league’s instant replay committee, the NBA has carefully reviewed its procedures following each season and made adjustments or additions to replay as deemed necessary.

76ers waive Trent Plaisted and Chris Quinn

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has waived forward/center Trent Plaisted and guard Chris Quinn.  The Sixers roster now stands at 14 heading into the season opener at Wells Fargo Center against the Miami HEAT on October 27.

Plaisted (6-11, 245) appeared in two games with one start this preseason, averaging 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game.  He has played internationally in both Italy and Croatia since leaving Brigham Young in 2008.

Quinn (6-2, 175) saw action in three games this preseason for a total of 21 minutes.  In four NBA seasons, he has averaged 5.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game.

76ers exercise Jrue Holiday and Marreese Speights options

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has exercised its third-year option on guard Jrue Holiday and its fourth-year option on forward/center Marreese Speights.  Both players are now under contract through the 2011-12 season.

Holiday (6-4, 180) was the 17th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2009 NBA Draft and was the youngest player in the league last season.  In 73 games with 51 starts, Holiday averaged 8.0 points, 3.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.09 steals in 24.2 minutes per game.  Over the final 16 games, he averaged 12.0 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.94 steals.

Speights (6-10, 255) was the 16th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2008 NBA Draft.  In 141 career games played with the Sixers, he has averaged 8.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game while shooting 49.0% from the floor.  Speights scored 20-plus points in three of the final six games last season, and seven times overall, after doing so once as a rookie in 2008-09.

Bobcats waive Darius Miles and Matt Rogers

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived forward Darius Miles and forward/center Matt Rogers. In seven preseason appearances, Miles averaged 3.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15.1 minutes per game. Rogers appeared in three games and averaged 0.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 4.7 minutes per contest.

Miles has played in 446 career NBA games for the Clippers, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers and Grizzlies, averaging 10.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26.3 minutes. He was selected with the third overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and was named to the All-Rookie First Team following the 2000-01 season.

Rogers joined the Bobcats as a free agent after going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. He played four seasons at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, averaging 15.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocks. He was named Second Team Division II All-America as a junior in 2008-09 and Third Team as a senior in 2009-10.

The Bobcats roster now stands at 15.

Magic waive Stanley Robinson

The Orlando Magic have waived forward Stanley Robinson, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced tonight after the Magic’s preseason game vs. Dallas.  Orlando’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by Orlando, Robinson (6’9”, 210, 7/14/88) played in five preseason games with the Magic, averaging 2.0 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 8.2 minpg.

Robinson played in 126 career games during his four years at the University of Connecticut, averaging 9.8 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 1.0 apg. and 1.03 blkpg. in 26.3 minpg.  He helped the Huskies reach the NCAA Final Four in 2008-09.