Inside Hoops – Page 2500 – NBA Blog

Spurs sign Salim Stoudamire

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have signed guard Salim Stoudamire. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Stoudamire, 6-1, 175 lbs., has spent his entire three-year NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks. Last year he appeared in 35 games, averaging 5.7 points in 11.5 minutes. He scored in double figures in nine games including a season-high 18 points vs. Golden State on 2/22. Stoudamire enjoyed his best season in 2005-06 when he played in 61 games, averaging 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.3 minutes. For his career, he has appeared in 157 games, averaging 8.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per game.

Originally selected by Atlanta with the 31st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Stoudamire played four seasons at the University of Arizona where he played in 129 games, averaging 15.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Stoudamire finished his collegiate career in ninth place in NCAA history in career three-point field goal percentage (.458, 342-747) and tied for 18th in career three-point field goals made. As a senior he led the nation in three-point shooting (.504, 120-238) and ranked fourth nationally in free throw percentage (.910, 122-134).

The roster now stands at 19.

Lakers re-sign DJ Mbenga

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed free agent center Didier “DJ” Ilunga-Mbenga, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Mbenga, a 7-foot, 255 pound native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Lakers last season on January 21 and February 1 before signing for the remainder of the year on February 11.

In 26 games with the Lakers, Mbenga averaged 2.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.62 blocked shots in 7.8 minutes while totaling four points and five rebounds in 10 minutes over seven postseason games.

Earlier in the season, Mbenga signed with the Golden State Warriors on November 17 after spending three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks prior to their request for waivers on him October 30. In 16 games with the Warriors prior to his release January 6, Mbenga averaged 1.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.63 blocked shots in 8.1 minutes.

After signing with Dallas as a rookie free agent in 2004, Mbenga, 27, played 79 games over three seasons with the Mavericks, totaling 106 points, 75 rebounds and 35 blocked shots in 374 minutes. In his rookie year of 2004-05, he averaged 4.10 blocks per 48 minutes played while improving to 5.00 blocks per 48 minutes in 2005-06. In 2006-07 he was limited to just 21 games after missing the first 16 games of the year with a left foot tendon strain and suffering a torn right ACL 2/7/07 vs. Memphis.

In 121 career games including two starts, Mbenga is averaging 1.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.50 blocked shots in 5.8 minutes.

The Lakers preseason roster now stands at 19.

Chucky Atkins out 6 weeks after knee surgery

Denver Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today. The surgery, performed by Nuggets orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Steve Traina, repaired torn cartilage and cleaned out loose bodies.

Atkins began experiencing discomfort in the knee two weeks ago while playing pick-up games in preparation for the season. An MRI was performed on Monday and revealed surgery was necessary.

Atkins will be sidelined for approximately six weeks.

Bobcats sign Carl Landry to offer sheet

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent Carl Landry. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

In accordance with the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Landry’s current team, the Houston Rockets, will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer.

Word is, the deal is for around 3 seasons and $3 million per season. If that’s true, the Rockets are likely to match the offer.

“Landry is an emerging NBA talent, as evidenced by his play over the final 42 regular-season games and into the Rockets first-round playoff appearance,” Higgins said. “His ability to play both the power forward and center position will complement our post play.”

In his rookie season with Houston, Landry (6-9, 248 pounds) averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 42 games. He also shot .616 (135-219) from the field and was named All-Rookie Second Team. He scored a career-high 22 points at Indiana on Feb. 1 and tied his career high with 11 rebounds at New Orleans on Feb. 22. Landry also recorded his first career double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 rebounds against Minnesota on Jan. 11. He appeared in six playoff games with the Rockets last season and averaged 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 17.7 minutes.

Originally drafted by Seattle in the second round (31st overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Houston obtained his draft rights in exchange for a future second-round selection and cash considerations on June 28, 2007.

Landry finished his collegiate career at Purdue after playing his first two seasons at Vincennes University. In 64 career games for the Boilermakers, he averaged 18.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. As a senior he was named First-Team All-Big Ten by the league’s coaches.

Spurs sign George Hill

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard George Hill. Per club policy terms of the agreement were not announced.

The native of Indianapolis, Indiana was drafted by San Antonio with the 26th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

The 6-2 Hill played this summer with the Spurs entries in the Vegas Summer League and the Rocky Mountain Revue. He appeared in three games – all starts – in the Vegas Summer League and averaged 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 31.8 minutes. Hill posted 17 points and 8 rebounds on 7/14 against Memphis. In four games at the Rocky Mountain Revue, he averaged a team-high 12.8 points with 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.00 steals in 30.8 minutes. Hill scored 21 points and added 4 rebounds and 3 assists against Utah on 7/18.

Hill spent the past four years at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Last season he was named the Summit League Player of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press. Hill led the Summit League and ranked 16th nationally in scoring with 21.5 points per game while shooting .545 from the field (195-245) and .450 (49-109) from three-point range. He posted nine double-doubles and averaged 6.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.78 steals in 32 games. Hill scored in double figures in all 32 games, finishing with 20 or more points 16 times, and topped the 30-point mark in seven contests. He appeared in just five games as a junior before missing the rest of the season with a broken foot. As a sophomore Hill earned First Team All-Conference honors, averaging a team-high 18.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He was named to the league All-Newcomer Team as a freshman. For his career Hill appeared in 95 games for the Jaguars, averaging 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.63 steals.

LeBron and Jay-Z chillin out

The New York Daily News (Frank Isola) reports: Did you happen to see the photo of Jay-Z and LeBron James in last Friday’s Daily News? The Nets minority owner and the NBA’s second best player were together attending a fundraiser in Manhattan (and no, it wasn’t to help finance the Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn.) These two guys are spotted together so often that Beyonce is starting to ask questions. At what point will the Cleveland Cavaliers start accusing the Nets of tampering?

InsideHoops.com editor says: Next thing you know, LeBron will start trying to wear his New York Yankees cap during NBA games, tape a picture of Brooklyn over his jersey’s team logo, and give shout-outs to Brooklyn during post-game interviews.

Nuggets to add Nick Fazekas

The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports: Nick Fazekas, a 2003 Ralston Valley High School graduate, said Tuesday he will sign a nonguaranteed contract with the Nuggets before the start of next week’s training camp. The 6-foot-11 forward said he had “lots” of camp offers but believes he can make the Nuggets, who recently lost big men Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera. “I’m confident I can,” said Fazekas, who will sign for the $711,517 minimum after averaging 4.1 points in 26 games last season as a rookie with Dallas and the Clippers. “I don’t want it to sound like I’m talking with an ego, but I feel I’m good enough to play in the NBA.” If Fazekas, who worked out at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday for a second straight day after having recent workouts with Cleveland, Dallas, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, doesn’t bring local flavor to the Nuggets, forward Michael Ruffin could. Ruffin, who also has been working out at the Pepsi Center, expects to attend training camp with Denver or Chicago.

Robert Pack now a D-League coach

The Monitor reports: The Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday announced the hiring of 13-year NBA veteran Robert Pack as an assistant coach. “I could not be more pleased than to attract Robert to the Valley as our top assistant,” Vipers coach Clay Moser said. “He is truly a star on the rise in the coaching profession. Beyond being an outstanding NBA player for many years, he also has international playing experience. He is current with the game today, and his story will resonate with our players. He is a great person that has persevered through many trials and tribulations, a testament to his character.” … The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are a member of the NBA Development League (NBA D-League).

Jason Kidd in pivotal year

The Dallas Morning News (David Moore) reports: Jason Kidd is in the final year of a contract that pays him $21.3 million. The end of last season does not allow his agent, Jeff Schwartz, to negotiate from a position of strength. The Mavericks’ front office believes former coach Avery Johnson was wrong about Kidd, hence the title former coach. They think Kidd has something left to give. But is owner Mark Cuban confident enough in that assessment to sign the future Hall of Fame guard to an extension? No. The first 3 ½ months of this season are crucial. If Kidd plays well and the team clicks under new coach Rick Carlisle, fears about moving into the future with an AARP point guard will subside.

Nets name director of player personnel

The New Jersey Nets have named Gregg Polinsky the team’s director of player personnel, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. Polinsky had been the team’s director of scouting for the past three seasons.

Polinsky joined the Nets as a scout in 1999 following an extensive collegiate coaching career. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Polinsky played college ball at New Mexico and earned his degree in physical education from Northern Arizona. He began his coaching sojourn in 1981 as an assistant at Howard College (1981-83), and served in a similar capacity at the University of Texas (1983-86) and the University of Alabama (1986-95) before assuming the head coaching post at Georgia Southern, a position he held from 1995-99.