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Dirk Nowitzki practices but does not rule out knee surgery

Dirk Nowitzki

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki put in a full practiced today after getting his swollen right knee drained.

Though he seemed more optimistic about the knee than he did during last week’s trip to Germany and Spain, he didn’t rule out the possibility that he’ll have to have arthroscopic surgery.

“We’ll see how it responds over the weekend,” Nowitzki said. “I’ll be all right, hopefully.”

“Hopefully” is probably not the prognosis Mavericks fans want to hear about the status of Dallas’ 15th-year, perennial All-Star. Nowitzki didn’t specify which day he had the knee drained, but said it’s the second time he’s had it drained in recent weeks. He said he also had it drained “a couple of times” last season.

— Reported by Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News

Rockets waive guards Kyle Fogg and Demetri McCamey

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived guards Kyle Fogg and Demetri McCamey.

Fogg (6-3, 188, Arizona), who saw action in one game with Houston during the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, scored three points with two rebounds in the preseason opener vs. Oklahoma City (10/10/12). Over four seasons at Arizona, Fogg averaged 9.6 points (.404, 193-478 3FG), 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 139 games (119 starts). He finished his career ranked in the school’s top-10 in six career statistical categories: games played (139/1st), 3-point field goals (193/T-4th), games started (119/T-5th), minutes played (3,829/7th), 3-point field goal attempts (478/8th) and 3-point field goal percentage (.404/8th). Fogg was also 22nd all-time in points scored (1,341).

McCamey (6-3, 200, Illinois) played in all five games with the Chicago Bulls during the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. In 2011-12, McCamey saw time overseas with Mersin B.B. SK of the Turkish Basketball League and with Hapoel J-M of the Israel-Winner League. As a collegian, McCamey finished his four-year career at Illinois tied with Mike Tisdale for the most games played (139) in school history. He was also second in school annals and third in Big Ten history in assists (733) and ranked sixth on the all-time scoring list (1,718 points). He was the only active player in the nation during 2010-11 with at least 1,600 career points and 700 career assists, becoming just the second player in Big Ten history to reach both of those milestones.

Kyrylo Fesenko may finally want a driver`s license

Kyrylo Fesenko

Living in a hotel near the Bulls’ practice facility, Kyrylo Fesenko recently wanted to check out downtown Chicago.

So the affable Ukrainian, who never has had a driver’s license, did what he has done at his two previous NBA stops: He took a cab.

One small problem: The Chicago area is a bit larger than Salt Lake City and Indianapolis. After spending $140 for a ride, Fesenko found new motivation.

“I’m actually thinking about getting my license now,” Fesenko said. “I was like, ‘$70 each way? Uh, uh, that’s not going to happen.'”

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Will Derek Fisher return to Lakers?

derek fisher

No less an authority than Kobe Bryant announced this week that he’s convinced longtime teammate Derek Fisher will not have to wait forever to remove himself from the list of free agents still looking for work.

“I’m pretty confident,” Kobe says, “he’ll find a team.”

It might even be the Los Angeles Lakers, believe it or not, if more dominoes fall fortuitously for the team that has already annoyed the rest of the league with its good fortune this offseason.

It’s not feasible for the Lakers to bring back Fisher now, with a payroll approaching $100 million, but sources with knowledge of their thinking say that the team has made it clear to the rest of the league that Chris Duhon and/or Steve Blake are available via trade to any interested party willing to absorb their respective contracts.

— Reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.com

Dwight Howard back injury was affecting his leg

dwight howard

Dwight Howard knew something was wrong when he couldn’t feel his left leg. His back hurt him for most of last season, but when his leg went dead and he couldn’t perform a simple calf raise, he decided it was time to seek medical help.

“I had some issues early in the season and I just kept playing through it, some back spasms,” Howard said Thursday in his comments about the extent of his back injury since he was acquired by the Lakers from the Orlando Magic on Aug. 10.

“I really didn’t say anything. With all the stuff that was going on, I just didn’t want anybody thinking that I was trying to quit on my team or anything. Instead of sitting out, I just wanted to keep playing and how everybody I was still with the team.”

— Reported by Elliot Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News

Cavs coach Byron Scott dishing tough love early

byron scott

After two years of wallowing as one of the league’s worst teams, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott is putting everyone on alert. This season, he is expecting more.

That was evident Tuesday when Scott benched — and then ripped — rookie Dion Waiters for not running the right play in a preseason loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Scott typically has been patient before publicly ripping players in the past. He gave J.J. Hickson all of training camp two years ago before blasting him before the start of the regular season for not knowing the playbook. He gave Omri Casspi nearly all of last season before ripping him for the same thing.

Waiters, however, lasted one week before catching Scott’s wrath.

— Reported by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal

Brandon Roy feeling good early in NBA comeback

Brandon Roy feeling good early in NBA comeback

A day after an encouraging performance in his first NBA game since the 2010-11 season, Timberwolves shooting guard Brandon Roy said his knees “feel good” and that he was able to participate in all phases of the team’s practice Thursday, Oct. 11, at Target Center.

“I went through everything today,” Roy said after the Timberwolves’ 90-minute workout. “I’ve had a bunch of stepping stones, and this was another one. The biggest thing for me is that I felt good after the game (Wednesday) night, so I wasn’t expecting too much soreness today.”

— Reported by Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

Nets guard MarShon Brooks out 7-10 days

Nets guard MarShon Brooks out 7-10 days

MarShon Brooks hopes to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award, but the Nets guard won’t be leaving the bench just yet.

Brooks did not participate in practice Thursday, sidelined with tendinitis in his right foot. The second-year guard was sporting a walking boot, having already had an MRI exam, which came back negative, but may not play for seven to 10 days, according to Nets coach Avery Johnson. The coach hopes to have him back for next Thursday or Friday’s preseason games.

“He felt something there maybe a day or two ago,” Johnson said. “He was good for the first 80 percent of practice [Wednesday], then he felt it. The doctor has him in a boot for precautionary [reasons], let the tendinitis just settle down a little bit.”

— Reported by Howard Kussoy of the New York Post

Atlanta Hawks waive Keith Benson and Isma’il Muhammad

The Atlanta Hawks have waived Keith Benson and Isma’il Muhammad, President of Basketball Operations/GM Danny Ferry announced today.

Both players appeared in one preseason game (last night’s contest at San Antonio), as Benson finished with 10 points and two rebounds in 10 minutes (5-8 FGs), and Muhammad recorded one point and two assists (1-2 FTs) in 12 minutes of action.

Atlanta’s training camp roster now stands at 17.