The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have signed forward Courtney Sims to a contract. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not released.
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Heat waive Penny Hardaway, sign Luke Jackson
The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested waivers on guard Penny Hardaway and signed free agent forward/guard Luke Jackson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Jackson, a 6’7”, 215-pound guard, has appeared in 59 games (two starts) in his three-year NBA career and averaged 2.9 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 8.4 minutes while shooting 37.4 percent (58-of-155) from the field, 35.6 percent (21-of-59) from three-point range and 75 percent (36-of-48) from the free throw line.
This season, the former 10th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, appeared in one game for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League and posted 30 points, nine assists, four rebounds, a steal and a block in 31 minutes of action while shooting 7-of-14 from the field, 5-of-6 from three-point range and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Prior to that, after a stint with the Los Angeles Clippers and finishing the season with the Toronto Raptors last season, Jackson appeared in 23 games (16 starts) for the Stampede and averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.7 minutes while shooting 48 percent (121-of-252) from the field, 48.6 percent (34-of-70) from three-point range and 78.9 percent (60-of-76) from the free throw line.
Jackson, the former Oregon Duck, finished his four-year colligate career as one of only two players in Pac-10 history to accumulate more than 1,900 points, 700 rebounds and 400 assists while becoming the only player in Oregon history to rank in the Top 10 in nine categories: free throws made (first), scoring (second), steals (third), free throw percentage (third), assists (fourth), field goals made (fourth), three-point field goals made (sixth), three-point percentage (seventh) and rebounding (seventh).
Penny Hardaway appeared in 16 games (eight starts) for Miami and averaged 3.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.2
Nets waive Eddie Gill
The New Jersey Nets have requested waivers on guard Eddie Gill, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.
Gill, who signed with the Nets on November 16, 2007, appeared in 13 games, averaging 2.9 points 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Grizzlies president resigns
Andy Dolich, President of Business Operations of the Grizzlies has announced his resignation effective December 31 2007. Dolich has been responsible for the overall day to day functioning of the business and marketing side of the Grizzlies and FedExForum which he was appointed to by team owner Michael Heisley in May of 2000.
Garbajosa out after surgery
Ticker reports: Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa underwent surgery on his left leg and ankle on Tuesday and is out indefinitely. The procedure was performed by Dr. Mark Myerson, who has instructed Garbajosa to stay off his feet for a minimum of 10 weeks. There is no timetable for his return. The 6-9 Garbajosa suffered the injury at the end of March in a game against the Boston Celtics and required surgery. However, the second-year forward opted not to have the procedure in order to play for Spain in EuroBasket 2007 over the summer.
David Stern won’t punish Thomas, Knicks for role in sexual harassment trial
The Associated Press (Brian Mahoney) reports: NBA commissioner David Stern won’t punish Isiah Thomas or Madison Square Garden for their role in a sexual harassment trial that embarrassed the Knicks and the league. “Instead, we are going to continue to focus our attention on a league-wide program ensuring that all teams have appropriate policies, clearly communicated to their employees, focusing on respect in the workplace including the prohibition of sexual harassment,” Stern said in a statement. On Monday, Thomas and MSG settled the case brought by former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders for $11.5 million. A jury awarded her $11.6 million in punitive damages in October — a trial Stern wanted the Knicks to avoid, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
Kings sign Dahntay Jones, waive Darryl Watkins
The Sacramento Kings today signed guard/forward Dahntay Jones to a contract and requested waivers on center Darryl Watkins, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.
Jones, a first round selection (20th overall) by the Boston Celtics in the 2003 NBA Draft, has spent all four of his NBA seasons playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. He has amassed career averages of 5.1 points (.442 FGs, .330 3FGs, .722 FTs), 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game through 221 outings. His best year, statistically, was last season when he averaged 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game for the Grizzlies.
Watkins, who currently is in his rookie season out of Syracuse, has played in nine games this year for the Kings, averaging 1.3 points (.333 FGs, .400 FTs) and 1.3 rebounds per game.
MSG sexual harassment case settled
The Associated Press reports: Madison Square Garden and New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas have settled the sexual harassment case brought by a former team executive who was awarded $11.6 million in punitive damages. Terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed. “I am extremely pleased that we have reached a settlement,” Anucha Browne Sanders said in a statement.
Positive Rockets notes
Some positive notes about the Rockets:
Stingy Defense: The Rockets are still dealing the defense this season, ranking fourth in the NBA in points allowed per game (93.7) through Dec. 9. Houston has been especially stingy at home, limiting its opponents to 91.3 points per game (730 TP) over eight outings at Toyota Center.
Triple Double: Tracy McGrady recorded 17 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds vs. Memphis (12/5/07) for his third career triple-double (22 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds on 2/23/02 vs. Philadelphia and 46 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds on 2/23/03 at New Jersey). The last time a Rockets player had a triple-double was Steve Francis with 13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds at Golden State (3/21/03).
Never Looking Back: The Rockets scored the first four points of the game at New Jersey (12/7/07) and did not drop behind the Nets the rest of the night, which marked the third time this season where Houston never trailed in a contest (others: 11/3/07 vs. Portland and 11/24/07 vs. Denver).
Notable player notes
NBA News – Among sophomores, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge is tied for first in scoring (18.6 ppg) with Memphis’ Rudy Gay, while the Trail Blazers’ Brandon Roy ranks third (17.8 ppg). Aldridge is first among second-year players in rebounds (7.7 rpg) and double-doubles (six); Roy is second in assists (5.3 apg).
After averaging 0.8 and 0.5 blocks in his rookie and sophomore seasons, respectively, Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut is swatting 2.3 shots per game this year.
Dallas’ Josh Howard is averaging 17.5 first-half points over the last six games and teammate Dirk Nowitzki has hit 58 of his last 60 free throw attempts.
New York’s David Lee has recorded two point-rebound double-doubles in as many days. Lee has also scored in double digits the last four games.
Atlanta’s Marvin Williams has scored in double figures in 17 of 18 games, including the first 12 of the season — the longest stretch of his career.
Minnesota’s Al Jefferson finished with 32 points and 20 rebounds in Saturday’s win over Phoenix, becoming the second player in franchise history to collect at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in the same contest. Kevin Garnett had eight such efforts while playing for the Timberwolves.
Philadelphia’s Andre Miller has recorded at least 10 assists in each of the past three games after not recording more than nine in the first 17 games of the season. Miller did not record double-digit assists in more than two consecutive games in 2006-07.