Author: Inside Hoops

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Uncertain McGrady health

The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: A day after Tracy McGrady expressed concern about whether he would be ready for the Rockets’ season opener Oct. 29, he was so encouraged by his play in Sunday’s scrimmage-heavy practice that he spoke confidently about playing in the preseason finale Thursday night in Sacramento. “Actually, I felt pretty good today,” McGrady said. “I wanted to really push myself in practice, to start today a push toward the game on Thursday. I came in here, did what I wanted to do, went hard and felt pretty good. “I am (encouraged.) It’s better for my psyche coming out here and knowing I can get up and down and I can do some of the things I had trouble with earlier. Still struggling a little bit defensively, but I’m coming around.”

Yi Jianlian glance

The New York Daily News (Julian Garcia) reports on Nets forward Yi Jianlian’s preseason play so far: Yi has been pretty good offensively (14 ppg) but has struggled to grab rebounds (five in three games) and on the defensive end. Yi admitted he had a hard time with defending the pick-and-roll in his first two preseason games, but Frank said “it’ll happen” as long as Yi continues to work at it and learn how to play aggressively on that end “without committing needless fouls.” Frank added this, too: “I think the thing you can’t discount too is there’s a little bit – not much – but a little bit of a language barrier. So he’s got to do a little bit more thinking initially until he gets comfortable with voice recognition. He’ll get it. It’s just going to take some time.” As for rebounding, Frank said, “In the Olympics he was one of the leading rebounders, so I think he has it in him.”

Cavs starting SG job uncertain

The News-Herald (Bob Finnan) reports: Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said recently the starting job at shooting guard is still up for grabs… Many observers think Sasha Pavlovic will retain that starting job once the regular season starts on Oct. 28 in Boston… Pavlovic missed a week of training camp after spraining his ankle. Veteran Wally Szczerbiak, another candidate for the starting job, has also been bothered by soreness in camp… The plan going into camp appeared to be for Delonte West to start opposite Mo Williams in the Cavs’ backcourt. But he missed 12 days of camp battling depression and a mood disorder and might be better suited coming off the bench.

Celtics waive Darius Miles

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Darius Miles. The training camp roster now stands at 15.

“Darius was a model citizen during his time here in Boston.  He showed that he still has a lot of basketball left in him.” said Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations/General Manger Danny Ainge.

Miles signed as a free agent on August 22, 2008. The 6’9, 235-pound forward appeared in six preseason games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game.

Mavericks waive C.Rhodes

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have requested waivers on forward Charles Rhodes.

Rhodes (6-8, 245) was signed by the Mavericks as a rookie free agent after he went undrafted out of Mississippi State in the 2008 NBA Draft. He saw action in 5 preseason games and averaged 1.0 point and 2.4 rebounds in 6.0 minutes per game.

The Mavericks roster now stands at 18 players.

Bulls waive two players

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has waived forward Elton Brown and guard Darius Washington.

Brown (6-9, 250) appeared in two preseason games with the Bulls and averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 8.0 mpg.

Washington (6-2, 195) saw action in two preseason games and averaged 8.0 ppg in 13.0 mpg.

Chicago’s preseason roster now stands at 15.

Bucks waive two players

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on guards Ron Howard and Kevin Kruger, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

In three preseason games with the Bucks, Howard, 25, posted averages of 2.0 points and 1.0 assist per game.

Kruger, 25, played in two games for the Bucks and averaged 4.0 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebound per game.

The Bucks roster currently stands at 16 players.

Oct 19: Celtics 83, Nets 66

The AP reports: Given the need for a point guard, Doc Rivers decided to start Gabe Pruitt so he could have a chance to work with the starters. Pruitt scored 11 points with 12 rebounds, adding seven assists with six turnovers… Kevin Garnett, who scored eight points with eight rebounds while playing sparingly in the first and third quarters, said Pruitt has had plenty of time to learn in practice while guarding Rondo, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen… Ryan Anderson scored 20 for the Nets, who lost to the Celtics 111-108 on Thursday without any of the Big Three playing.

Oct 19: Wolves 111, Nuggets 107

The AP reports: Kevin Ollie made four free throws in the final 16 seconds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 111-107 preseason victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. Ryan Gomes scored 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field for the Timberwolves (5-1). Mike Miller had 17 points, Al Jefferson added 15, Craig Smith 13 and Randy Foye 12. Foye also had 15 assists… Anthony Carter led Denver (4-1) with 17 points, Carmelo Anthony added 15, J.R. Smith 14, Linas Kleiza 13, Kenyon Martin 12 and Nene 10. Kleiza shot 11-for-12 on free throws.