December 21, 2011 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Dallas Mavericks sign forward Sean Williams

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed free agent forward/center Sean Williams. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, it is a two-year deal with the second season only partially guaranteed.

Williams (6-10, 235) was originally the first round pick (17th overall) of the New Jersey Nets in the 2007 NBA Draft. He spent three seasons in New Jersey and averaged 4.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 126 games as a Net.

Born in Arlington, Texas, Williams was a standout at Mansfield High School and attended Boston College. In his junior season at Boston College, Williams averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game. He set a school record when he recorded 13 blocked shots against Duquesne. Williams decided to forego his senior season and was an early entry candidate to the 2007 NBA Draft.

Williams spent last season in the NBA D-League where he was an All-Star and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. In 49 games (46 starts) with the Texas Legends, Williams averaged 14.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per contest.

Kobe Bryant is day-to-day with a wrist injury

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who suffered a right wrist injury in Monday night’s game against the Clippers, was examined today by Dr. Steven Shin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and underwent an MRI exam. Results show that Bryant has a torn lunotriquetral ligament.

Bryant will not play in tonight’s game against the Clippers and his status is day-to-day.

Chicago Bulls sign Derrick Rose to extension

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has re-signed guard Derrick Rose to a maximum dollar, five-year extension. It is reportedly worth around $94 million.

“We are thrilled that we have signed Derrick to an extension. On top of being a great player, what has set Derrick apart is his make-up, character, drive and his leadership,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “That being said, we believe his greatest asset is his loyalty to his teammates, to our organization and to the city of Chicago. We look forward to having Derrick in a Bulls uniform for years to come, as he helps lead us in our quest to become a championship team.”

In 2010-11, Rose helped guide Chicago to its first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 1998. In 81 games last season, he averaged 25.0 ppg (seventh in the NBA), 7.7 apg (10th), 4.1 rpg, 1.05 spg and 37.4 mpg (14th). Rose was the only player in the NBA last year who ranked in the top 10 in scoring and assists. He also became just the fifth player in NBA history (along with Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, Michael Jordan and LeBron James) to post 2,000 points, 600 assists and 300 rebounds in a single season. For his efforts last year, he was named the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (the youngest MVP in NBA history at 22 years-191 days old), as well as being selected All-NBA First Team.

“It is a dream come true to play for the Chicago Bulls, and with this new contract the dream continues. I am very thankful to Jerry Reinsdorf and the Chicago Bulls organization, my teammates and coaches, and to the city of Chicago,” said Rose. “It is an honor to play in the city that I grew up in, and I am very appreciative of this opportunity with my hometown Bulls. I want all of our fans out there to know that I am committed to one goal and that is winning an NBA championship for Chicago.”

Embarking on his fourth season in the NBA, Rose is a two-time All-Star, and has averaged 20.9 ppg, 6.7 apg and 3.9 rpg in 37.1 mpg while with the Bulls. The Chicago native has also posted career shooting averages of .468 from the field, .309 from behind the arc and .815 from the line. The Bulls originally selected Rose with the first overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Houston Rockets sign forward Jeff Adrien

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent forward Jeff Adrien. According to the Houston Chronicle, it is a two-year contract with the first year partially guaranteed.

Adrien (6-7, 243, Connecticut), who had been playing with Benetton Treviso in Italy, appeared in 23 games over two stints with Golden State in 2010-11. His second stint with the Warriors was as a GATORADE Call-Up from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League. Overall, Adrien appeared in 27 D-League games last season between the Erie BayHawks and Rio Grande Valley, averaging 18.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.03 steals and 1.44 blocks in 32.7 minutes per contest. He was named the 2010-11 NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year (as voted by the league’s head coaches) after helping the Vipers to an 18-4 record in his 22 games with the team following a trade from Erie. The D-League Player of the Month for Jan. 2011 was also a D-League All-Star in 2010-11.

As a collegian, Adrien finished his career at the University of Connecticut with 1,603 points and 1,126 rebounds, becoming only the second Husky with over 1,600 points and 1,100 rebounds in a career since Jim Calhoun became coach in 1986. He was also just the fifth player in school history to amass over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. Adrien ranked 12th on the career points list and finished with the third-highest rebounding total ever by a Husky. As team captain in 2008-09, Adrien helped lead UConn to the NCAA Final Four.

New Jersey Nets re-sign forward Kris Humphries

The New Jersey Nets have re-signed forward Kris Humphries, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. It is reportedly a one-year deal for around $8 million.

“Kris had a breakout season last year, and established himself as one of the premier rebounders in the league,” said King. “We look forward to his continued progress and his addition will certainly add stability to our frontcourt rotation.”

Humphries rejoins the Nets after a career-year in 2010-11 that saw the 6-9 forward average personal bests of 10.0 points and 10.4 rebounds, while shooting .527 from the field in 74 games (44 starts). The seven-year veteran out of Minnesota ranked 5th in the NBA in rebounds per game last season, notched 29 double-doubles and grabbed a career-high 23 boards on March 23 at Cleveland.

Humphries originally came to the Nets as part of a mid-season trade in 2009-10. In 118 games with New Jersey, Humphries owns averages of 9.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Selected in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Humphries went on to play for Toronto and Dallas before joining New Jersey. In 431 NBA games, Humphries holds career averages of 2.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Stephen Curry suffers right ankle sprain

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sprained his right ankle and had to be helped off the court during the Sacramento Kings’ 95-91 preseason victory Tuesday night.

Curry was injured while defending rookie Jimmer Fredette just before halftime. Curry didn’t play in the second half and finished with seven points and five assists in 15 minutes.

Team officials said Curry would have X-rays on his ankle Wednesday morning.

“I’m disappointed. We need him back quick,” Warriors rookie coach Mark Jackson said. “But if not, we still have to go out and execute. It’s no excuse. The next player has to look at it as an opportunity. We hope Steph comes back quick because everybody knows we are a better basketball team with him.”

— Reported by the Associated Press