Author: Inside Hoops

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Video of Jordan Crawford dunk on LeBron James

By now you’ve all heard about LeBron James being dunked on in a meaningless, light scrimmage by college basketball player Jordan Crawford, of Xavier.

Today, TMZ posted a video clip, but it’s so fuzzy that I get nothing out of it. This clear video clip of what went down is much better. Press the play button:

Nice dunk. But it’s no big deal. Athletic college players can occasionally dunk on or near great NBA players in light scrimmages when given the opportunity.

There was no reason to for Nike to cover this video up.

Fun to finally see, though. Even if the actual event is nothing.

Maybe this was all a big marketing ploy by Nike to get lots of press for themselves. If so, it worked. This is the first time I’m mentioning them in a blog entry in months.

Read basketball fan comments and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Detroit Pistons sign Chris Wilcox

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent forward Chris Wilcox to a multi-year contract.  Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

“We are excited to add a young, athletic big man in Chris Wilcox,” said Dumars.  “Chris provides our team with some added depth in the front court and we look forward to watching his continued development while here with the Pistons.”

Wilcox, 26, has appeared in 448 career NBA games (2     11 starts) averaging 9.3 points (52.7% from the field), 5.3 rebounds and 21.7 minutes per game.  Since joining the league as the eighth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, he has played for three franchises including Los Angeles, Seattle/Oklahoma City and New York.

In 62 games with Oklahoma City and New York last season, Wilcox averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and shot 49.7% from the field in 16.9 minutes per game.

His best two seasons came in 2006-07 and 2007-08 with Seattle where he averaged 13.5 points and 13.4 points, respectively.  Wilcox started 81 of 82 games during the 2006-07 season where he averaged career-highs in points (13.5) and rebounds (7.7) and ranked 16th among NBA league leaders in field goal percentage (.529).

He earned NBA Western Conference Player of the Week honors during the 2005-06 season by tallying averages of 23.0 points (.750 FG) and 15.3 rebounds during a 3-0 week for the Sonics (4/3-9).  Wilcox scored 26 points and grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds vs. Houston that week, becoming the first player since Shawn Kemp to record a 20-point/20-rebound game for Seattle.  The Raleigh, North Carolina native played two seasons collegiately at Maryland, helping the Terrapins win the NCAA Championship in 2002.

Indiana Pacers re-sign Josh McRoberts

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have re-signed free agent forward Josh McRoberts to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, teams of the contract were not closed. We’ll post contract info tonight.

“We are very pleased to have Josh back,” said Pacers President of Basketball Larry Bird. “He’s another player who fits into the core group of guys we want to build around. He worked very hard the last year to improve his game, I know he will continue to work and improve and be part of what we are trying to build.”

The 6-10 McRoberts, acquired in a trade July 9, 2008, from Portland, played 33 games for the Pacers, averaging 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

“I was thrilled last summer when the Pacers brought me back home,” said McRoberts, from Carmel, IN. “I have the same feeling now that they thought enough of me to bring me back. This is home and I want to be part of what the Pacers are trying to do.”

Coach K and same assistants to continue coaching Team USA basketball

They’re back! The 2006-08 USA Basketball Men’s National Team coaching staff of head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University), and assistants Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Mike D’Antoni (New York Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Portland Trail Blazers), a staff that led the American men to gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a three year record of 36-1, will return intact to lead the USA Basketball Men’s National Team program in 2010-2012.

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo officially announced today that Basketball Hall of Fame mentor Krzyzewski will return as head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team program for 2010-2012, and that Boeheim, D’Antoni and McMillan were returning as USA assistant coaches.

Over the course of 2010-2012, USA Men’s National Teams will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey); if necessary the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-Aug. 12 in London, England).

Sacramento Kings sign Sean May

The Sacramento Kings and forward Sean May today reached an agreement in principle on a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are all excited to have him join the team,” said Petrie. “It’s a great opportunity for him and us as well. We look forward to this being a chance for him to combine his talent with his health and motivation.”

May amassed career averages of 8.5 points (.457 FGs, .333 3FGs, .760 FTs), 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game through 82 games with the Charlotte Bobcats in three seasons, sitting out the 2007-08 campaign due to injury. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 11.9 points (.500 FGs, .667 3FGs, .768 FTs), 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game over 35 contests.

The 13th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Bobcats out of the University of North Carolina, May led the Tar Heels to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

AUGUST 3 UPDATE: KINGS OFFICIALLY SIGN SEAN MAY

The Sacramento Kings today signed forward Sean May to a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are all excited to have him join the team,” said Petrie. “It’s a great opportunity for him and us as well. We look forward to this being a chance for him to combine his talent with his health and motivation.”

May amassed career averages of 8.5 points (.457 FGs, .333 3FGs, .760 FTs), 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game through 82 games with the Charlotte Bobcats in three seasons, sitting out the 2007-08 campaign due to injury. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 11.9 points (.500 FGs, .667 3FGs, .768 FTs), 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game over 35 contests.

The 13th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Bobcats out of the University of North Carolina, May led the Tar Heels to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

Antonio Burks shot in robbery

The AP reports: Former Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis point guard Antonio Burks remains in critical condition a day after being shot during a robbery… The Commercial Appeal quoted police as saying Burks and four other men were in the backyard of a Memphis house when they were robbed by three men. They shot Burks and another man, whose identity was not released. Police said the second victim also was in critical condition.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: Former Memphis Tiger and Grizzly Antonio Burks was shot as he watched six men gamble with dice in the backyard of a home in South Memphis, according to police. Three armed robbers came around both sides of the house at 353 Laclede just before 6 p.m. Monday and began firing immediately, a victim told police. The robbers, who arrived in a purple or blue GMC Equinox or Envoy and weren’t wearing masks, forced the victims to the ground and robbed them of money and their clothes. One victim, identified by police as Vincent Williams, 44, was shot in the stomach and robbed of $300.

Philadelphia 76ers sign 2009 first round draft pick Jrue Holiday

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed Jrue Holiday, the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.  Holiday (6-3/180) was an early entry candidate for the draft following his freshman season at UCLA.

All players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed a contract, so this is an expected, routine signing.

The 19-year-old was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team last season after averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 35 games played.  Holiday was paired in the Bruins backcourt along with senior Darren Collison who was selected with the 21st overall pick by New Orleans.

Earlier this month, Holiday started all five games for the Sixers/Nets entry in the Orlando Pro Summer League.  He averaged 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, a team-high 3.0 assists and a team-high tying 1.60 steals in 29.0 minutes per game.

The 2008 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Holiday averaged 25.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 4.8 steals during his senior season at Campbell Hall High School in California.

Maine Red Claws name Austin Ainge head coach

The Boston Globe (Chad Finn) reports (via blog): The first coach in Maine Red Claws history has a familiar last name and a family tie to one of the NBA Developmental League franchise’s parent clubs, the Celtics. The Red Claws introduced Austin Ainge as the team’s head coach. Ainge, 27, who was most recently a scout for the Celtics, is the son of Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge… Ainge spent last season as scout with the Celtics, where included working with rookies J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker while they were on assignment with Utah of the D-League.

Orlando Magic to sign Matt Barnes

The Orlando Magic are about to land help at the swingman spots. Yahoo (Adrian Wojnarowski) reports:

In an aggressive summer of spending, the Orlando Magic have agreed with Matt Barnes on a two-year, $3.2 million contract, a league source said Monday night… The deal includes a player option of $1.6 million in 2010-11, the source said. Barnes will sign the agreement on Tuesday.

Assuming  the deal happens, it’s a good move for the Magic. Barnes will help their bench. With new shooting guard Vince Carter likely starting and Rashard Lewis probably sliding from power forward to his natural small forward position, Mickael Pietrus and Barnes will provide nice backup minutes at the SG and SF spots.

Last season with the Phoenix Suns Barnes averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.0 minutes per game.

Steve Nash to sign contract extension with Phoenix Suns

The AP reports: Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns have agreed on a two-year, $22 million contract extension, his agent said. Bill Duffy confirmed the agreement Monday in an interview with The Associated Press. The deal will keep the two-time MVP point guard under contract with the Suns through the 2011-2012 season… Under the agreement, $6 million of the final two years of the contract will be deferred, with $3 million being paid in each of the two years following the expiration of the contract, Duffy said.