The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has waived center Jerome James and signed forward Rob Kurz for the remainder of the season.
James (7-1, 285), joined the Bulls on Feb. 19, 2009 in a four-player trade with the New York Knicks. In one and a half seasons with Chicago, James did not appear in a game due to a ruptured right Achilles he suffered during the 2008-09 season.
Kurz, 25, appeared in 39 games (35 starts) for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League. With the Mad Ants, he averaged 17.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.46 bpg in 37.2 mpg and shot .494 from the field, .435 from the three and .808 from the line. The 6-9, 230 pound forward also held a stint with the Golden State Warriors during the 2008-09 campaign. In 40 games (five starts) with the Warriors, he posted averages of 3.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 11.1 mpg. In four years at the University of Notre Dame, Kurz posted career averages of 9.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.13 bpg in 108 games.
Kurz will wear number 31.
InsideHoops.com Says: Center Jerome James got paid many millions of dollars to sit, be fat, tumble into planes, and roll around the nation. The man is a perfectionist and lived up to full expectations of his job. Being serious, though, I strongly encourage all 30 NBA teams show respect to fans by never, ever signing this guy again.
