Inside Hoops – Page 1299 – NBA Blog

Dwight Howard says it was tough to play with Kobe Bryant

“Was it tough playing with Kobe?” Howard said in a recent interview with ESPN. “Yeah, it was very tough. But playing along with Kobe didn’t have any parts in my decision going to Houston. I just felt like going to Houston was a better situation for me in my career.”

Howard believes Rockets coach Kevin McHale will feature him in a larger offensive role in the post than Mike D’Antoni would. He believes James Harden will play with more efficiency and better health than Steve Nash would. Howard believes it will be easier leading a team lacking with championship tradition than playing on a team steeped with it but Bryant still controlling the agenda.

“Me and Kobe, we had our disagreements and we had our moments,” Howard said. “Everbody knows Kobe likes to score. There were times we would get at it about getting the ball. That happens as a team. But my focus cannot be on Kobe in what he did. I have to look at myself and say I allowed that situation to happen. I could get those balls and do whatever I want because I’m capable of doing it. I can’t blame anybody else for things I’ve done on the court. I would have to own up to it.”

Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog)

Chris Copeland feels blessed to join Pacers

Chris Copeland waited longer than most for the big NBA money, overcoming personal tragedy and logging several years playing overseas to do it.

The newest member of the Indiana Pacers promises fans will hear him use one word over and over during the upcoming season because of that.

“Blessed,” he said. “You’re going to hear it all year. I look up every day and thank God that I’m here.”

The Pacers confirmed Copeland’s signing over the weekend after he agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract July 5. He traveled to Indianapolis on Monday and met the media at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

“He’s a great addition to our team because he’s a guy that can come in off the bench and create his own shot or get into the paint,” Pacers President Larry Bird said in a statement. “He’s a good guy and a great competitor and we’re happy to have him join us.”

Reported by Michael Pointer of the Indianapolis Star

J.R. Smith out 3-4 months after knee surgery

The New York Knicks have announced Sixth Man Award winner J.R. Smith has had patellar tendon surgery and an arthroscopy for a tear in the lateral meniscus of his left knee.

The Knicks said Smith’s injuries, which were treated at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City by team orthopedist Dr. Answorth Allen, were chronic and gradually worsened. His recovery time is approximately three to four months, which could make him available between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15 — near the start of the 2013-14 season.

A league source told ESPNNewYork.com that the Knicks were aware Smith likely would need surgery for his left knee, which started bothering him during the playoffs.

Reported by Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York

Danny Ainge says Celtics have no intention of tanking

It was the first thing Celtics general manager Danny Ainge told Kris Humphries on Monday when the two sat down to talk: “We’re not tanking.”

“It’s the first thing he told me, too,” said Keith Bogans, who came to Boston along with Humphries, Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks and three first-round draft picks in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. Boston also sent Jason Terry to Brooklyn and acquired Kris Joseph.

The deal followed the trade of coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers, and it continued the rebuilding process that has been seen – and, from many in Boston, welcomed – as an attempt to “tank” the season, racing to the bottom of the standings to land a top pick in next year’s talent-rich draft.

Not so, says Ainge.

Reported by the Associated Press

Kemba Walker helped convince Al Jefferson to sign with Bobcats

Big Al is headed to Charlotte after three seasons with the Jazz and, by looks of it, one man in particular swayed his decision.

Kemba Walker, the Bobcats’ starting point guard and go-to scorer, scouted Al Jefferson this offseason, according to the Charlotte Observer. Walker envisioned Jefferson capably filling Charlotte’s low-post needs, and with trust in their second-year point guard, the Bobcats encouraged Walker to reach out the Utah Jazz free agent.

With the go-ahead from his team, Walker met with Jefferson in New York to hopefully persuade the big man to consider Charlotte. Apparently it worked, that or the three-year, $41 million contract was too good to pass up.

Reported by Whitney O’Bannon of the Deseret News

Trey Burke struggled in summer league play

The NBA summer league is the first real professional basketball for recent draftees, so it’s often a wide-eyed experience.

Former Michigan star Trey Burke averaged 8.8 points, four assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 turnovers and was 1-for-19 from three-point range and shot 24% from the field in his summer-league games with the Utah Jazz, who drafted him No. 9 overall.

In an espn.com chat today, Burke addressed his struggles.

“I felt like summer league was a great experience,” he said. “I needed it. It showed me that I have some work to do. My shot was flat due to my legs. I thought I did a good job with the team and picked up on some things, like on offense and what we’re doing defensively.”

Reported by Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press

Boston Celtics waive forward Kris Joseph

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived forward Kris Joseph.

Joseph, a 6’7” forward, was originally drafted by the Celtics with the 51st overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He appeared in 10 games split between Boston and Brooklyn and totaled 11 points and nine rebounds over 54 minutes. Joseph also appeared in 27 games split between the Springfield Armor and the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League averaging 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 34.0 minutes per game and was named to the All-NBDL Second Team. He was acquired by the Celtics in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on July 12.

Lakers sign forward Wesley Johnson

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Wesley Johnson, it was announced today.

Johnson has had a disappointing to start to his NBA career, but he’ll have another chance to prove himself now with the Lakers.

“Wesley is a young, athletic player who runs the floor well and is an excellent defender,” said Kupchak. “He’s a developing player who we think could become a good NBA player for years to come. He’s also a great kid and we’re happy to add him to our team.”

Originally selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Johnson has appeared in 194 career games (148 starts), averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.1 minutes as a member of the Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns.

A three-year NBA veteran, Johnson averaged a career-high 9.0 points during his rookie season with Minnesota, ranking sixth among rookies in scoring and third in three-point accuracy (35.6 percent). In two seasons with the Timberwolves, Johnson averaged 7.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 24.6 minutes. Most recently, Johnson appeared in 50 games (21 starts) with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 8.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 19.1 minutes.

Johnson spent his first two collegiate seasons at Iowa State (2006-08) before transferring to Syracuse, where he helped the Orange to a 30-5 record in 2009-10 and was named a First Team All-American. The 6-7 forward averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his one season at Syracuse, being named Big East Player of the Year and a finalist for the Naismith, John Wooden and Oscar Robertson national player of the year awards.

Houston Rockets waive James Anderson and Tim Ohlbrecht, and announce signings

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed second-round draft pick guard Isaiah Canaan (pronounced Cannon). In addition, the Rockets have come to terms with rookie free agents forward Robert Covington and guard B.J. Young.

In addition, the Rockets announced that the team has waived guard/forward James Anderson and center Tim Ohlbrecht.

Canaan (6-0, 188, Murray State) was selected by the Rockets with the 34th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He played in 132 career games over four seasons at Murray State, averaging 15.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds. Overall, Canaan scored over 2,000 points in his collegiate career (2,050) while shooting 304-of-725 (.419) from beyond the arc. He was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior and OVC Co-Player of the Year as a senior. The Biloxi, Mississippi native also earned Honorable Mention All-America honors from the Associated Press as a senior after ranking first on team in scoring (21.8 ppg), assists (4.3 apg) and steals (1.5 spg). Canaan, who scored in double figures in all 31 games in 2012-13, netted a season-high 35 points against Morehead. He added 22 points, a career-high 10 assists and nine rebounds against Belmont State. As a junior, Canaan also ranked first on team in scoring (19.0 ppg) and assists (3.6 apg).

Covington (6-9, 215, Tennessee State) was a member of the Rockets 2013 Orlando Pro Summer League, where he averaged 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.40 steals in five games (two starts). Undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft, Covington averaged 14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks in 118 career games over four seasons at Tennessee State. He finished his career seventh all-time in school history with 1,750 points and seventh in rebounds with 876. Covington was named Second Team All-OVC as a senior and sophomore, while earning First Team All-OVC honors as a junior. He was also named to the Ohio Valley Conference All Newcomer Team as a freshman. As a senior in 2012-13, he ranked first on team in scoring (17.0 ppg), steals (2.2 spg) and blocks (1.7 bpg), while ranking second in rebounds (8.0 rpg). Covington was also first on the team in scoring (17.9 ppg), rebounds (7.9 rpg), steals (1.6 spg) and blocks (1.4 bpg) as a junior in 2011-12.

Young (6-3, 180, Arkansas), who also played with the Rockets at the 2013 Orlando Pro Summer League, averaged 11.8 points on 16-of-31 (.516) shooting from the field over four games with Houston. Young was an early entry candidate for the 2013 NBA Draft, but did not hear his name called on draft night. He played in 63 career games over his two-year career at Arkansas, posting a career average of 15.2 points. Young earned Second-Team All-SEC honors as a sophomore and freshman. He was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. He ranked first on the team in scoring (15.2 ppg), assists (3.4 apg) and minutes played (27.9 mpg), while finishing third in rebounding (3.5 rpg) as a sophomore in 2012-13. As a freshman in 2011-12, he ranked second on team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and third in assists (2.3 apg). Young was the leading scorer among freshmen in the SEC and was given the team Offensive Player of the Year award by the Razorback coaches in 2011-12.

Kings to meet with Greg Oden tonight

The Kings will meet with center Greg Oden tonight, The Bee has confirmed.

Oden was the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, but has played in just 82 games in his career to due various injuries.

Oden did not play in the NBA last season.

The Kings would already have 14 players under contract for the 2013-14 season after signing Carl Landry this morning and adding rookies Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum.

Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (Blog)