Inside Hoops – Page 494 – NBA Blog

Heat sign forward Jarnell Stokes

The Miami Heat yesterday (Monday, August 27) signed forward Jarnell Stokes.

Last season, Stokes played with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association, appearing in 28 games. He averaged 25.0 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.11 steals and 1.04 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game.

Stokes started all 28 games in which he appeared with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, during the 2015-16 season, helping the team to the 2016 G League Championship and earning the 2016 G League MVP award after averaging 20.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.11 steals and 30.7 minutes while shooting 66.5 percent from the field. He was originally drafted by the Utah Jazz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft and was previously acquired by the HEAT in a trade with Memphis on November 10, 2015 before being traded by Miami to New Orleans on February 18, 2016.

Stokes has appeared in 28 career NBA games (two starts) between Miami, Memphis, New Orleans and Denver averaging 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 5.4 minutes of action while shooting 58.1 percent from the field. He appeared in five games with the HEAT during the 2015-16 season, totaling seven points, two rebounds, one assist and a steal in 14 minutes of action.

He appeared in 87 games while at the University of Tennessee (84 starts) where he was a teammate of current HEAT guard Josh Richardson and averaged 13.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.08 blocks and 29.7 minutes while shooting 62.8 percent. He finished his collegiate career first in offensive rebounds, fourth in double-doubles, eighth in total rebounds and 14th in blocks on the school’s all-time list.

Grizzlies waive Kobi Simmons

The Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday waived guard Kobi Simmons.

Simmons (6-4, 170) saw action in 32 games (12 starts) for the Grizzlies last season and averaged 6.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 20.1 minutes during his rookie campaign. The 21-year-old also started all 26 of his appearances for the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle and averaged 15.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.04 steals in 30.9 minutes.

The Alpharetta, Georgia native, who played his lone collegiate season at the University of Arizona, signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies on July 1, 2017 after going unselected in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Sixers announce promotions in their basketball operations department

The Philadelphia 76ers today promoted several key members of its basketball operations department.

Elton Brand will continue to serve as General Manager of the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League and has added the title of Vice President of Basketball Operations for the 76ers. In addition to his work in Delaware, the former No. 1 overall pick will contribute extensively to all areas of the 76ers’ basketball operations department.

Ned Cohen, who joined the team in 2016 after a successful 12-year run in the NBA league office, has been promoted to Assistant General Manager. In his expanded role, Cohen will oversee all facets of roster and salary cap management, among other leadership duties. He previously served as 76ers Vice President of Basketball Operations and Chief of Staff.

Marc Eversley, promoted to Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, will expand his duties in his third season with the team. In addition to his role overseeing player personnel and talent evaluation, Eversley will leverage his nearly two decades of experience in the industry to amplify the team’s recruiting and strategic decision-making processes. This includes an increased focus on all areas of pro personnel, as well as efforts to attract, acquire and retain elite NBA talent.

Alex Rucker has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Analytics and Strategy. Rucker, who also joined the team in 2016, will continue to lead the NBA’s largest analytics and strategy team as it supports, elevates and helps grow the 76ers’ innovative basketball operations efforts. He previously served as 76ers Vice President of Analytics and Strategy.

Additionally, the team has announced that Kevin Young has been promoted and will join fellow Assistant Coaches Monty Williams and Billy Lange on the front of the bench this season. Meanwhile, respected coaching veteran Jim O’Brien will now serve as Senior Advisor to the Head Coach.

“We believe we have one of the NBA’s most talented and innovative front offices and we’re thrilled to announce these promotions as we approach the 2018-19 season,” Harris said. “Thanks to the leadership of executives like Elton, Ned, Marc and Alex, as well as Head Coach Brett Brown, our team is incredibly well-positioned for not only this season, but for seasons to come. We’re focused on continuing to build a team with championship DNA and the talent and drive of our front office reflects that.”

“Our team has made tremendous strides in recent seasons and is now one of the most promising and exciting teams in the NBA,” Blitzer said. “A lot of the progress and growth we’ve experienced can be attributed to the work our front office and coaching staff have done to strengthen and solidify a culture and infrastructure of winning. We’re pleased to announce these promotions for a group of smart, strategic and motivated leaders.”

Vince Carter to wear Hawks jersey number formerly belonging to Al Horford

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on new Hawk Vince Carter, whose jersey number will look familiar to any Hawks fans who enjoyed the work Al Horford did during his impressive stretch in Atlanta:

There is no No. 15 controversy for the Hawks.

Vince Carter will wear the uniform number after he signed a one-year contract with the team on Friday. The free-agent deal was agreed upon last month and the veteran is scheduled to play a record-tying 21st NBA season.

The number was last worn by Al Horford. The franchise staple spent nine seasons with the Hawks after he was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. The four-time all-star was allowed to leave for the Celtics in free agency in 2016 after helping the Hawks to the postseason each of his seasons in Atlanta, the first nine of the franchise’s 10-year run.

Many consider Horford a player deserving to have his number retired by the Hawks. Joe Johnson’s No. 2 or Horford’s No. 15 could be the next so honored.

Full article

Hawks sign Vince Carter

As his NBA career winds down, Vince Carter isn’t ring-chasing. In fact, he’s doing pretty close to the opposite, joining what should be one of the league’s weakest teams in the 2018-19 NBA season.

Carter on Friday (yesterday) signed with the Atlanta Hawks, who are completely rebuilding their roster from the ground up.

According to ESPN.com, it’s just a one-year deal. Which isn’t surprising, as he could retire any season now.

Carter clearly loves to play basketball. On a roster like Atlanta’s, he has a legit chance to get some pretty decent minutes. Though the best thing for the Hawks to do is focus on developing their young players. But Carter is a great teacher and should make the kids on the squad better, both in practice and actual season games.

Carter played in 58 games (four starts) last season with Sacramento, where he averaged 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.7 minutes (.403 FG%, .345 3FG%, .757 FT%).

In 20 NBA seasons with Toronto, New Jersey, Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis and Sacramento, Carter possesses career averages of 17.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.4 minutes (.437 FG%, .373 3FG%, .799 FT%), appearing in 1405 regular season games (973 starts). In 88 playoff contests (66 starts), he’s averaged 18.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.5 minutes (.416 FG%, .338 3FG%, .796 FT%).

Carter was the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year, has been named All-NBA twice (second team in 2001 and third team in 2000), is an eight-time All-Star and finished in the Top 10 in scoring six times. He won the NBA’s Slam Dunk contest in 2000, also taking home a gold medal that same year as part of the United States Men’s Basketball team in Sydney, Australia.

Will Celtics bring Jayson Tatum off bench?

Jayson Tatum is one of the key reasons why the Celtics should be a top team for years to come. He also is clearly worthy of continuing his role as a starter, yet could very well come off the bench in 2018-19. Here’s Boston.com touching on the situation:

Currently in Los Angeles, Tatum will continue working out before training camp begins in September. He said he is not concerned about forthcoming decisions regarding playing time, expressing the utmost faith in Stevens to do what’s right for the team. He also trusts his teammates to handle the situation in stride.

“Everybody has a job to do,” he said. “Our job is to be the best versions of ourselves and come together for a bigger goal, which is winning a championship. Brad’s job is to manage playing time and manage all sorts of stuff. That’s why he’s the coach. We got a bunch of selfless guys on the team that just want to win. We’ll figure it out.”

Tatum said it does not matter to him whether he starts or comes off the bench.

“I understand how deep our team is,” he said. “I just care about winning and doing what I can while I’m on the floor.”

Full article

Terry Rozier predicts big things for Celtics in 2018-19

Every player has to predict positive things about their team going into a new season. It goes with the territory and is only natural. But in the case of the Boston Celtics, there is every reason to genuinely believe that they’re a squad quite capable of representing the Eastern conference in the 2019 NBA Finals. Here’s ESPN.com reporting on what Celtics guard Terry Rozier speaking on his team:

Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier doesn’t want to make any grand predictions about what his team will accomplish during the 2018-19 season, but he’s quite bullish on their potential to be a title contender.

“We can be special. Truly special,” Rozier said Saturday during a break from his youth basketball camp in suburban Boston. “I think you know that. I think everybody knows that. Obviously, we [are] good on paper, we just gotta get it together and make sure everybody comes in and has that same mindset. But I feel like it’s going to be a special group.” …

“We look good on paper. The same team back from last year adding two main guys, two main pieces, with a lot of the guys we added from this draft and re-signed,” Rozier said. “It’s special. It’s special. Like I said, I don’t want to talk too much about [what the team can accomplish], but it’s going to be special.”

Full article

Nick Young reportedly arrested in Hollywood

It’s the offseason. Stuff happens in the offseason. Of course, stuff happens during the season, too – but in the offseason, every news item gets more attention. Especially if the words “Hollywood” and “arrest” are concerned. Here’s one thing that happened: Nick Young was taken into custody, according to TMZ:

Nick Young — aka Swaggy P — was arrested in Hollywood late Friday night after an incident during a traffic stop with police … TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us … the former Golden State Warriors star was pulled over just before midnight for a routine traffic violation when something went wrong.

We’re told the 33-year-old refused to cooperate with the officers on scene, and so he was arrested for obstruction of justice.

One witness tells us … cops took Young out of his vehicle and ordered him up against a wall where he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Full article

Heat sign guard Briante Weber

The Miami Heat signed guard Briante Weber today.

Weber has appeared in 74 games (55 starts) with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.58 steals and 33.3 minutes while shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from three-point range and 78.5 percent from the foul line. Weber has part of three seasons in the NBA with the HEAT, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, appearing in 45 career NBA games (four starts) and averaging 3.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 13.6 minutes of action. Originally signed by Miami on October 19, 2015 and re-signed on Apr. 10, 2016, Weber has appeared in one regular season game and two postseason contests with the HEAT.

Weber played all four seasons at Virginia Commonwealth finishing as VCU’s all-time career steals leader (374), shattering the previous 29-year old record by 117, capping his career third on the NCAA’s steals list, just 12 shy from becoming the all-time career leader before missing the final 10 games of his senior season due to injury. He became the first player in conference history to be named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons, including his senior, junior and sophomore seasons, and also set a program record with a recorded 45.5-inch vertical leap.

Celtics sign PJ Dozier to two-way contract

The Boston Celtics today signed guard PJ Dozier to a two-way contract.

Dozier, 21, is set to compete on his second two-way contract in as many NBA seasons, having previously held a two-way position with Oklahoma City in 2017-18. He made his NBA debut with the Thunder on Feb. 8, 2018 at the Lakers, one of two contests he saw action in.

In 43 games played (38 starts) with the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League last season, Dozier (6-7, 201 lbs.) produced 12.9 points (46.5% FG, 34.0% 3-PT), 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 28.4 minutes. The University of South Carolina product scored at least 20 points on five occasions, including a season-high 26 points (10-19 FG) on Jan. 28 against the South Bay Lakers.

Dozier participated in five games on Oklahoma City’s 2018 NBA Las Vegas Summer team in July, averaging 11.0 points on 52.0% shooting and 1.40 steals in 23.0 minutes.

A native of Columbia, SC, Dozier capped off his two-year collegiate career on a high note in 2017 after contributing to the Gamecocks’ first-ever NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance. He averaged 15.6 points (50.8% FG), 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in five tournament games and was selected to the NCAA Tournament All-Region team.