NBA News Blog – Page 1134 – NBA Blog

Andrew Bogut likely back Tuesday for Bucks

Bucks center Andrew Bogut will return in time for Tuesday’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs, his agent David Bauman said Sunday.

In an e-mail sent Sunday, Bauman said: “Andrew is returning to the U.S. in a few hours. Given the time difference and the length of the flight back to the U.S. (from Australia), it is unlikely he will be able to make it back in time for the Bucks’ game in Phoenix. Andrew will be back in Milwaukee Monday and is expected to start and be ready to play in the Bucks’ home game Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs.

“Andrew feels badly that he ended up missing four games and he will be ready to play Tuesday without limitations or restrictions.

“We do not expect to comment further, but Andrew appreciates the support and understanding during this difficult time that he has received from his teammates, Bucks management and the Bucks’ fans.”

— Reported by Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Thunder guard Eric Maynor out for season with torn ACL

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti issued the following statement on the injury status of guard Eric Maynor:

“After further tests and evaluation this morning, it was revealed that Eric Maynor tore his right Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in the fourth quarter of last night’s game in Houston. The injury will require surgery and Eric will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

It is unfortunate to lose a player like Eric, whose work ethic and leadership has contributed to the culture of our organization. Knowing him and the mental toughness he possesses, we are confident that he will do everything necessary to come back from this injury and be prepared for the 2012-13 season. Injuries are part of the NBA, and although it is tough to lose Eric, we must move forward and focus on our continued improvement as a basketball team.”

Grizzlies guard Josh Selby faces marijuana charge

Grizzlies rookie guard Josh Selby is facing a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge after police found probable cause during an Oct. 5 incident at the University of Maryland.

The 20-year-old Selby has been summoned to appear in a Maryland district court Jan. 25.

“I have no comment about it,” Selby said. “It is what it is.”

Maryland makes a distinction between marijuana and all other illegal drugs. Possessing or using marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Bruised elbow can’t stop Derrick Rose

Even if Derrick Rose believed bad things happen in threes, it wouldn’t matter.

Twice Dwight Howard has knocked Rose out of games with hard fouls in the lane.

But Rose promised before Friday night’s game against the Magic that he would not change his strategy.

“No, I’m still going to attack, go to the hole,” he said. “I’m a drive-first guy. But when you play him, you have to know he will contest everything.”

Rose made the adjustments in the Bulls’ impressive 97-83 victory at the Amway Center. Rather than going all the way to the rack, he pulled up several times to hit floaters over Howard’s outstretched arms.

“Derrick has quite an array of shots,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “And he’s great at finishing.”

Rose played with a bruised left elbow, the result of hitting the deck Wednesday night on a foul by the Pistons’ Damien Wilkins. He wore a protective sleeve on his left elbow, but it was tough to tell if the injury affected him.

— Reported by Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune

Bobcats ready to shake up lineup

Change is coming to the Charlotte Bobcats, following a 102-96 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Start Byron Mullens at center? Probably, and that could come as soon as Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers.

Play D.J. Augustin and Kemba Walker together? Yes, in stretches, so long as the Bobcats can survive in zone defense.

Use Tyrus Thomas primarily as a small forward? Yes, with Corey Maggette out up to a month with a hamstring strain suffered Wednesday against the New York Knicks.

The Bobcats made up a nine-point deficit in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter after coach Paul Silas shook up his lineup — Mullens at center, the two point guards together, Thomas at small forward in his first game back from a sprained ankle.

— Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer

Celtics withdrew qualifying offer to Jeff Green in mid-December

If and when Jeff Green returns to the NBA — and the encouraging news heading into his heart surgery next week is that he likely will — he will have plenty of choices as to his next employer.

That’s because the Boston Celtics, in a move that was not made public, withdrew Green’s qualifying offer in mid-December, right around the time he failed his physical and had his one-year, $9 million contract voided. The move means Green is now an unrestricted free agent. Had the offer not been withdrawn, and the Celtics were under no obligation whatsoever to do so, Green would have been a restricted free agent, with the Celtics able to match any offer he might get from another team.

Asked about the decision on Friday, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, citing Green’s impending surgery, said he preferred not to discuss the matter. He did confirm it, however. It may have been nothing more than a goodwill gesture on the part of the Celtics to Green and his agent, David Falk, who said the team has been “phenomenal” in handling the situation.

— Reported by Peter May, special to ESPN Boston

Kyle Lowry charged with battery of ref in Vegas from September

Houston Rockets guard Kyle Lowry is facing a misdemeanor battery charge amid accusations that he threw a basketball at a referee and threatened her during a game at a Las Vegas training gym.

The criminal complaint says the 25-year-old Lowry was taunting 30-year-old Infini Robinson while she was officiating a game between NBA players Sept. 22.

Police say that when the game ended, he threw a ball at her torso and cursed at her for calls he didn’t agree with.

Robinson later was hit in the shoulder by another basketball in an area designated for officials. She said the ball hit her with such force that it pushed her body back in the chair where she was sitting, and said it likely would have broken her nose had she not been bent over changing her shoe.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Mavericks assign Sean Williams and Yi Jianlian to D-League

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have assigned Sean Williams and Yi Jianlian to the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.

Willliams (6-10, 235) has played in three games with the Mavericks after being signed on Dec. 21. In three appearances, Williams is averaging 4.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.7 minutes while shooting .714 (5-7 FGs) from the field and 1.000 (4-4 FTs) from the free throw line.

Yi (7-0, 250) was signed by Dallas on Jan. 6 and has yet to see any action with the Mavericks.

Williams and Yi are scheduled to join the Legends tonight, Jan. 6, for their game in Austin against the Toros. They will also be in uniform on Sunday, Jan. 8 when Texas battles the Maine Red Claws on HP Court at Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco.

Dallas Mavericks sign forward Yi Jianlian

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent forward Yi Jianlian. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, it’s just a one-year contract.

Yi (7-0, 250) was the first round draft pick (sixth overall) in the 2007 NBA Draft of the Milwaukee Bucks. The 24-year old has played for three teams (Milwaukee, New Jersey and Washington) in his four-year career. He holds career averages of 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 24.1 minutes in 242 career games with 163 starts.

Yi played in 66 games (starting 49) as a rookie for the Bucks and averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. That year he was selected to participate in the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge at the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend.

In June of 2008, Yi, along with Bobby Simmons, was traded to New Jersey in exchange for Richard Jefferson. Yi enjoyed the two best years of his career while with the Nets including a 2009-10 campaign where he averaged 12.0 points and 7.2 rebounds in 52 games (51 starts). In June of 2010, Yi was traded to Washington where he played out the remainder of his contract and became a free agent.

A native of Shenzhen, China, Yi was a member of the Chinese National Olympic Team that competed in both the 2004 Athens games and 2008 Beijing games. His name is pronounced “EE jee-ENN-lee-ENN.”

Derrick Rose still dealing with sore elbow

Derrick Rose was still sore, but he had more mobility in his left elbow than he did after injuring it Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons, a person with knowledge of the situation said.

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy is preparing as though Rose will play when his 5-2 Magic hosts the 6-1 Bulls on Friday.

‘‘He’s an exceptional player, and . . . I think he has an exceptional attitude also,’’ Van Gundy said. ‘‘He’s a different breed. He’s all about winning and the team and trying to do what he can to get better. He’s the real deal as a player and a person and a teammate. They’re very, very lucky to have him.’’

Rose drove hard to the basket, was fouled by the Pistons’ Damien Wilkins and came down hard on his left elbow late in the Bulls’

99-83 victory.

— Reported by Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times