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Michael Carter-Williams and 76ers off to shockingly good start

We’re just a few games into the NBA regular season, so it’s too early to jump to any sort of crazy conclusions, but as for what’s gone down so far, the Sixers have been an amazing, fun surprise. Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting:

michael carter-williams

Someone forgot to tell rookie guard Michael Carter-Williams his Philadelphia 76ers are supposed to be tanking to land a high draft choice.

Carter-Willians, the 11th pick in the draft, had an electrifying debut Wednesday with 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals, seven rebounds and just one turnover in the 76ers’ 114-110 victory over the defending champion Miami Heat.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau:

– Carter-Williams’ nine steals were the most in a debut since steals became an official stat in 1973-74.

– The 12 assists were the second-most in a career debut in NBA history. Ernie DiGregorio had 14 for the Buffalo Braves in 1973-74.

– The 22-12-9-7 combination had been achieved only twice. Utah’s Rickey Green had 26 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds in November 1982, and San Antonio’s Johnny Moore had 26 points, 13 assists, nine steals and 11 rebounds in January 1985.

Jimmer Fredette still looking to prove himself in NBA

Jimmer Fredette still has work to do to prove that he’s got a place in the NBA. Here’s the Sacramento Bee, with the first paragraph below focused on Jimmer’s Kings situation:

Jimmer Fredette

For Fredette, the numbers just don’t add up. In the overall scheme, the body parts just don’t fit. He is a 6-foot-2 backup shooting guard whose offense relies on unselfish teammates to set screens and deliver crisp, precise passes, which the Kings have done very little of this past decade.

That doesn’t mean Fredette can’t flourish elsewhere. It doesn’t even mean he can’t flourish here, under the right circumstances. But surrounding him with one-on-one players is the fastest way to cripple a career, which is why the third-year pro is disappointed, but hardly devastated, that the Kings declined Thursday to pick up his fourth year for an estimated $3 million.

“We weren’t sure what they were going to do,” said Fredette, an unrestricted free agent next summer. “They told me it was a very difficult decision, that they were on the fence until the last few days. And I understand that. This is a business. It’s tough to hear sometimes, but you still have an NBA career. It’s not over. I’m just going to move forward and play as hard as I can this year, try to get better, and see what happens.”

D-Rose, Bulls downplay trouble with turnovers

It’s early. The NBA regular season only began this past Tuesday. And Derrick Rose is still working his way back into form. Here’s the Chicago Tribune:

Derrick Rose

Tom Thibodeau uttered the phrase twice, as if to reassure himself. Or, at least, a worried fan base.

“Some of it is bobbles,” the Chicago Bulls’ coach said. “There’s some rust. He’ll be fine. He’ll be fine.”

Thibodeau was discussing Derrick Rose’s turnovers, which on Saturday featured eight against the Philadelphia 76ers. That included five in the final quarter, all in the final 7 minutes, 59 seconds.

Rose ranks second behind the Warriors’ Stephen Curry with 5.7 turnovers per game. Curry is at 6.3.

Russell Westbrook health update: He is ready to return

Russell Westbrook

The Oklahoma City Thunder are about to get better, and the NBA is about to get even more exciting than it’s already been in this first week of action.

The following statement was issued today by Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti regarding Russell Westbrook’s availability to play in tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns:

“Russell Westbrook has gone through a methodical rehab process jointly created by our medical and performance teams and treating physicians. The process has been instrumental in getting Russell to this point and has included various physical and medical benchmarks. The final benchmark being unrestricted basketball activity. After hitting the necessary marks, all parties, including the team, consulting physicians, Russell’s representatives, and most importantly Russell, jointly determined that returning to play was the correct next step.”

According to the Oklahoman, “Thunder players, coaches and front office executives all said Westbrook looked great in on-court activities in the days leading up to training camp. But the loose stitch in his knee caused swelling that would not subside until Westbrook underwent the second procedure. Thunder general manager Sam Presti, however, said last month that the second surgery, though pushing back Westbrook’s return date, allowed the team an opportunity to see Westbrook’s meniscus and gain confidence that it had properly healed.”

Andray Blatche fined by NBA for making obscene gesture

Andray Blatche

Brooklyn Nets center-forward Andray Blatche has been fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture during the Nets 101-100 win over the Heat on Friday, Nov. 1, at Barclays Center, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

Blatche’s actions occurred with 2:40 remaining in the 4th quarter of the game.

Ronny Turiaf (Timberwolves) suffers right elbow fracture

Ronny Turiaf

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that Ronny Turiaf underwent a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) this morning at TRIA Orthopedics in Bloomington, Minn. that revealed a radial head fracture of the right elbow. Turiaf will be re-evaluated later this week to determine an approximate time table for a return to the court.

Turiaf suffered the injury at the 10:17 mark of the second quarter during last night’s 100-81 Wolves win over Oklahoma City.

Kings decline to pick up Jimmer Fredette contract option

Jimmer Fredette got a lot of attention before and during his entrance into the world of NBA basketball, but ever since he actually put on a Kings jersey, we haven’t seen a lot of him. There have been flashes here and there, but for now, Jimmer is still proving his worth. As for his Kings situation, here’s the Sacramento Bee:

Jimmer Fredette

The Kings on Thursday declined to pick up the fourth-year option on guard Jimmer Fredette’s contract for the 2014-15 season, which would have paid the 2011 first-round draft pick a little more than $3 million. The deadline to do so was Thursday at 9 p.m.

Therefore, Fredette will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Kings could re-sign him at a reduced salary, but the decision likely means this will be Fredette’s final season with the team.

It also means Fredette probably would bring more value in a trade because his expiring deal would create salary cap space for next summer’s free-agent class. The trade deadline is Feb. 20.

Orlando Magic: Solomon Jones suffers torn lateral meniscus in left knee

Solomon Jones

Orlando Magic forward/center Solomon Jones has suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Jones will undergo surgery and will be out indefinitely. He suffered the injury during Orlando’s overtime loss on Oct. 30 @ Minnesota.

Jones (6-10, 235, 7/16/84) was signed as a free agent on Sep. 27. He has played in two games this season, averaging 2.0 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. in 13.7 minpg. Jones also appeared in seven preseason outings, averaging 4.6 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 1.29 stlpg. in 16.0 minpg.

A graduate of nearby Mount Dora High School, Jones was originally selected in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft by Atlanta. He has appeared in 272 career NBA games with Atlanta, Indiana, New Orleans, the Los Angeles Clippers, New York and Orlando, averaging 3.1 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 11.1 minpg. Collegiately, Jones played two years at Daytona Beach Community College, then two years at the University of South Florida.