The Oklahoman (Darnell Mayberry) reports: Desmond Mason has a new number. No. 34. He’s worn 24 throughout his career. He could have had it with the Thunder with no current players wearing 24. So why the change? No. 34 was his college number, which he said he wanted when Seattle originally drafted him but was taken by Jelani McCoy.
Author: Inside Hoops
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Aaron McKie rejoins Sixers staff as assistant
Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that 13-year NBA veteran Aaron McKie has rejoined the franchise as an assistant coach on Maurice Cheeks’ staff. McKie will also have additional duties in player development.
McKie was originally named a member of the Sixers coaching staff back on Oct. 3, 2007. Since he never officially retired as a player, his rights still belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers signed McKie to a contract in order to package him in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Pau Gasol on Feb. 1, 2008. Although he did not appear in a game, McKie spent the remainder of the season on the Grizzlies roster before being waived on May 9, 2008.
In 793 career games with 287 starts, McKie averaged 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.15 steals in 24.2 minutes per game. He enjoyed his best season as a Sixer in 2000-01, taking home Sixth Man of the Year honors while helping Philadelphia reach the NBA Finals. That same season, he recorded back-to-back triple-doubles at Sacramento on Dec. 30, 2000 (19 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds) and vs. Atlanta on Jan. 3, 2001 (11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists).
McKie, who had his jersey retired at Simon Gratz High School in 2002, also starred at Temple University. He finished his three-year career with the Owls tied for sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list and was named Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year as a junior in 1993.
Rasheed Wallace now jersey no.30
Michigan Live (A. Sherrod Blakely) reports: Rasheed Wallace is back to wearing jersey No. 30. He gave no particular reason for the change, other than to say that he always planned to return back to wearing the number at some point. A couple of media folks pointed out how Wallace looked to be in great shape. Flashback to the last couple of training camps, and you’ll see that Wallace usually comes to camp in pretty good shape. But maintaining it throughout the course of a season, now that’s another story.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Both teams played hard.
Pistons give Alex Acker a guaranteed contract
Michigan Live (A. Sherrod Blakely) reports: The announced signing of Alex Acker was interesting. The fact that Detroit signed the 6-foot-5 combo guard isn’t all that unexpected. This guy has been on the cusp of sticking with the team for years. But it is a bit surprising that they guaranteed his contract for the season considering most of his time will likely be spent on the inactive list. Usually teams keep that 15th spot open in case a talented player is unexpectedly waived, or as a cushion to absorb an extra body in a possible trade.
Eddy Curry may come off bench
The New York Post (Marc Berman) reports via blog: Eddy Curry claims he’s in “good shape”, contrary from indications from D’Antoni. Curry is no given to start at center. “I’d be very disappointed,” Curry said. David Lee is a center candidate. “I”m excited about the possibility of playing different positions,” Lee said.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Curry is good for instant offense. If you feed him the ball down low and he immediately tries to score, over and over, he’ll be effective for that stretch. If the Knicks do bring him off the bench, he should get the ball 10 times in a row, try to score all 10 times (unless the defense simply refuses to allow a smart opportunity, of course), and then be sat down.
Chatting with Rasho Nesterovic
Here’s part of an Indianapolis Star interview with Pacers center Rasho Nesterovic
Q: You were born in Slovenia and played in Europe and on national teams. In how many countries have you played basketball?
A: “Lots. I can’t even remember. When I played in Europe, we traveled a lot, and on the national team, we traveled all over the world.”
Q: When you played in Greece, you were given the name Radoslav Makris. Is it common that they give players new names?
A: “A lot of guys that played there, they find a name for you so you can have Greek citizenship. You keep your old name, they just give you another one.”
Q: How did you learn English?
A: “I just picked it up from TV. I’ve been here for 10 years, so I should pick it up.”
Danny Granger up for extension
The Indianapolis Star reports: Danny Granger, the Indiana Pacers’ leading scorer last season, said he doesn’t see his contract situation being a distraction. Granger is entering his fourth year, and the Pacers have until Oct. 31 to sign him to a long-term deal or he becomes a restricted free agent, which means the Pacers have the right to match any offer he might receive next summer. “Whether I sign it now or after, it really doesn’t matter,” the 6-8 swingman said Monday as the team prepared for the start of training camp today. “That’s the way I approach it.”
InsideHoops.com editor says: Granger has proven himself worthy of a decent contract, so he has nothing to worry about. But a source that is only loosely plugged in to the situation tells me the Pacers may look to wait as long as possible to sign Granger for the long-term. Their future is uncertain, and while they do want Granger to be a part of it and fully intend to keep him, maintaining as much salary cap flexibility for as long as possible will help their rebuilding process. So, we’ll see.
Tracy McGrady has multiple injuries
The AP reports: The Houston Rockets, buzzing about the arrival of Ron Artest, already have injury concerns with Tracy McGrady. Houston’s leading scorer said Monday that his left shoulder is arthritic and will require surgery after this season. He also said his left knee is healing slower than expected from surgery in the spring. McGrady sprained his shoulder against Sacramento on March 24, and wore padding to protect it for the rest of the season. He had surgery in May to clear loose tissue in his shoulder and knee. He said his knee is “probably 75-80 percent” healthy and will take another two months to fully heal.
Nets move to Brooklyn delayed again
The New York Daily News (Frank Lombardi) reports: A legal setback could add six months to delays bedeviling the $4 billion Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn, its developer acknowledged Monday. But developer Bruce Ratner insisted the project – which is to include a new arena for the New Jersey Nets basketball franchise – “will go forward.” … The new delay is the result of a procedural ruling by the state Appellate Division in Brooklyn denying a motion to toss a lawsuit challenging the project’s use of state eminent domain to acquire private land.
InsideHoops.com editor says: At this rate, the first rookie to play for the Brooklyn Nets by the time they make their move will be C.J. Kidd (eventual grandson of T.J. Kidd, beloved son of former Net Jason Kidd).
Jazz exercise option on Ronnie Brewer
Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has exercised its fourth-year option on guard Ronnie Brewer for the 2009-10 season. Per team policy, financial terms were not released.
Originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (14th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Brewer (6-7, 218, Arkansas) has appeared in 132 games (90 starts) over his first two seasons and holds career averages of 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.26 steals in 20.9 minutes per game. In 2007-08, Brewer increased his numbers over his rookie year in every major statistical category, averaging 12.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.70 steals in 27.5 minutes while starting all 76 games in which he played. He led the NBA in steals-per-turnover ratio (1.87) and ranked seventh in field goal percentage (.558). Brewer led the Jazz in both steals and field goal percentage while scoring in double figures on 53 occasions, 46 times more than his rookie year. He was also selected to compete on the sophomore squad in the 2008 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend.