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The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have waived guard/forward Danny Green. Green was signed by the Spurs on November 17 and appeared in two games, averaging 3.0 points in 4.5 minutes.
The Spurs roster now stands at 12.
Category: NBA News Blog
NBA news blog
Heat sign Erick Dampier, waive Jerry Stackhouse
The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent center Erick Dampier. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Dampier, a 14-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 921 regular season games (749 starts) and averaged 7.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.46 blocks and 25.1 minutes while shooting 49.7 percent from the field. Last season he appeared in 55 games (47 starts) for the Dallas Mavericks and averaged 6.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.40 blocks in 23.3 minutes of action while shooting a team-best 62.4 percent from the field. Besides leading the team in field goal percentage, he finished second on the team in blocks (77) and offensive rebounds (128) while finishing fourth on the squad in defensive rebounds (272) and total rebounds (400). He currently ranks among the Mavericks’ all-time leaders in field goal percentage (1st – .591), blocks (4th – 546), offensive rebounds (4th – 1,224), defensive rebounds (7th – 1,987) and total rebounds (7th – 3,211).
Additionally, he has appeared in 57 postseason games (36 starts) and averaged 4.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.04 blocks and 22.2 minutes while shooting 54.1 percent from the field.
The Heat has waived guard Jerry Stackhouse. Stackhouse appeared in seven games (one start) and averaged 1.7 points, 1.0 rebounds and 7.1 minutes.
Phil Jackson ponders possibility of Heat changing coaches
ESPNLosAngeles.com reports:
With expectations so high going into the season after team president Pat Riley assembled his dream team, the pressure is on Erik Spoelstra to deliver. When the Heat struggled to an 11-10 start to the 2005-06 season, Riley shocked the league by replacing Stan Van Gundy on the Miami bench. He hadn’t coached since the 2002-03 campaign but led the Heat to the NBA championship.”The scenario that sits kind of behind the scene, is that eventually these guys that were recruited — Bosh and James — by Pat Riley and Mickey Arrison, the owner, are going to come in and say, ‘We feel you [Riley] can do a better job coaching the team. We came here on the hopes that this would work,’ and whatever, I don’t know,” Jackson said. “That’s kind of my take on it, is that eventually if things don’t straighten out here soon, it could be the Van Gundy thing all over again.”
The two-time defending champion Lakers are cruising along again at 12-2. The Boston Celtics, whom they faced in the 2010 Finals, are still the beast of the East, according to Jackson.
“The Celtics have a defense you have to plan for. Their defense is overwhelmingly a factor in the ballgame,” Jackson said. “They’re going to smother. They’re going to really contest. They’re going to body guys. There’s going to be double-teaming underneath the free-throw line. There are a lot of things that go on there that you have to start planning for.
Thunder sign Nick Collison to contract extension
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Nick Collison to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Nick Collison has shown an unwavering commitment to our organization through his willingness to accept various roles and his dedication to his teammates throughout his seven-year career with our franchise,” said Presti. “He brings a smart, physical, and hard working approach to our defense and is one of our most active players in the community. We are thrilled that Nick will remain a core member of our team and continue his career with the franchise that drafted him.”
Collison is currently averaging 4.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in six games since returning from a bruised right knee that caused him to miss the first eight games of the season. The 6-10 Kansas University product holds career averages of 7.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 460 career NBA games, all with the Thunder organization. Collison entered the 2010-11 season among the franchise’s all-time career leaders in rebounds (8th, 3,013 career rebounds), blocks (10th, 309 career blocks), field goal percentage (3rd, .529) and games played (9th, 454 career games).
“I am thrilled to continue my career with the Thunder organization,” said Collison. “I have spent many years with the franchise and I am excited to continue building with this group of players. I am looking forward to what the future holds for this team and community.”
Collison, originally drafted 12th overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City franchise, was an Associated Press First Team All-America selection and Big 12 Player of the Year as a senior at Kansas. He was also named to the 2003 NCAA All-Final Four Team after leading Kansas to the Championship Game. The Iowa Falls native left KU as the second leading scorer (2,097 points) and third leading rebounder (1,143 rebounds) in school history.
Report: Heat will sign Erick Dampier
The Miami Heat have been hit with a few key injuries, losing Mike Miller before things even got started, and a few days ago losing Udonis Haslem for what coudl be months.
Haslem, a power forward, provides rebounding, defense and toughness that few players on the current roster are able to replace.
Also, center Joel Anthony, who had been starting, hasn’t lived up to the Heat’s high hopes and now spends plenty of time on the bench.
Enter free agent center Erick Dampier.
Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports:
Erick Dampier has a one-year offer from the Miami Heat and is expected to sign it Tuesday, CBSSports.com has learned.
The 35-year-old center arrived in Miami Monday night and, pending his passing of a medical exam, will join the team to replace Udonis Haslem, who is out until at least February with a torn ligament in his foot. The deal is for one year at the prorated veteran’s minimum, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The Heat will have to release a player to create a roster spot for Dampier, likely Dexter Pittman or Jamaal Magloire.
It’s a good move for the Heat, and not particularly shocking. The team has reportedly been considering adding Dampier for a long time now, long before Haslem’s injury.
Read fan reaction and share your own opinion in this forum topic.
Raptors assign Ed Davis to D-League
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The Toronto Raptors announced Monday rookie forward Ed Davis will participate with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League for a short-term rehabilitation and conditioning stint. Davis sustained a meniscus tear in his right knee prior to the start of training camp and has been cleared to resume game action. He will continue to be included on the Raptors roster, but will be placed on the team’s inactive list.
“This is a great opportunity for us to gauge where Ed is physically with regard to his knee and his overall basketball conditioning,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “This is a perfect example where the D-League can be used as a ready-made and convenient tool in getting an injured player back on the court.”
Davis, 21, was the 13th overall draft choice by Toronto in the 2010 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-10, 225-pounder from the University of North Carolina averaged 12.6 points (3rd on the team) and 6.0 rebounds (2nd on the team) in the 2010 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. He shot .632 (24-of-38) from the field and tied for the team lead with nine blocks.
Davis is the fifth Raptor to play in the D-League. Solomon Alabi joined the BayHawks on November 15. Nathan Jawai was designated on two occasions in the 2008-09 season to the Idaho Stampede. P.J. Tucker was assigned twice to the Colorado 14ers during the 2006-07 season and Pape Sow was assigned to the Arkansas Rimrockers in the 2005-06 campaign.
Erie, which is led by head coach Jay Larranaga, has been appointed as Toronto’s D-League affiliate for the 2010-11 season.
Wizards sign Alonzo Gee, waive Lester Hudson
Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard/forward Alonzo Gee. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.
Gee (6-6, 220 lbs.), who appeared in five games this season for the San Antonio Spurs, returns to Washington following an 11-game stint with the Wizards last season. Gee averaged 7.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16.5 minutes during those 11 games, including a career-high 19-point effort at Charlotte on March 26.
Gee was initially signed to a ten-day contract by the Wizards last season on March 7 and was inked to a second ten-day contract on March 18 before signing with San Antonio for the remainder of the season. Gee was waived by the Spurs on November 16.
Hudson appeared in six games for Washington this season, totaling two points, six assists and one rebound in 26 minutes of play. Hudson was initially signed on September 24.
Pau Gasol shoots 10-of-10 in Lakers win over Warriors
The AP reports:
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Gasol scored 28 points without missing a shot, Kobe Bryant added 20 points and the Lakers took a 30-point lead in the first half of their fourth straight victory, 117-89 over the Golden State Warriors.
Gasol went 10 for 10 from the field, 8 for 8 from the free-throw line, and had nine rebounds and five assists. Until Gasol shredded Golden State’s shoddy interior defense, Charles Barkley and Matt Barnes were the only players ever to produce games of at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists without missing on at least five shots from the field and the line.
“Matt told me, ‘Welcome to the club,'” Gasol said. “I said, ‘Happy to be in there.’ It’s kind of weird that it happened that way. It’s weird, but it’s obviously a good sign.”
Barnes scored 24 points and hit seven shots — five 3-pointers — without a miss at Minnesota on Friday night. While Barnes was impressed by Gasol’s copycat effort, he noted the 7-foot Spaniard’s advantages as well.
“He was playing against little midgets, though,” Barnes joked. “That’s not something you play for, but 10 for 10, 8 for 8, he topped me. It’s amazing.”
Toddler dies in fall from luxury suite at Lakers game
UPDATE: THE BOY DIED
Police say they are investigating the death of a 2-year-old boy who fell 50 feet from a Staples Center luxury suite after a Lakers game.
Officer Julie Sohn said Monday the child abuse unit is investigating because of the boy’s age.
The Los Angeles Times, citing unnamed people familiar with the case, says the parents of Lucas Anthony Tang of Garden Grove had been searching for him when they learned he had fallen Sunday night.
Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports:
A young boy fell from a luxury suite after the Lakers’ game Sunday against the Golden State Warriors, tumbling into the lower bowl at Staples Center.
The boy was believed to be from 2 to 5 years old and was transported to an undisclosed hospital. The boy was moving his arms and legs as he was moved onto a stretcher, according to a witness who declined to be identified.
Allen Iverson scores two points in Turkish league debut
By Ibrahim Kocyigit
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ISTANBUL (Nov. 21) – It was not the first time Allen Iverson stepped into Besiktas Akatlar Arena, but it was the first time he saw the hall exceed its capacity. The Besiktas Cola Turka game against visiting Fenerbahce Ulker, defending champions in Turkish Basketball League was extremely important for the fans, since the opponent was the biggest rival of the club. After scoring 15 points on Tuesday against Hemofarm in Eurocup, Iverson disappointed his 3,500 fans in his Turkish league debut on Sunday by only scoring two points. More frustratingly for the fans, Besiktas, also known as Black Eagles, lost the game 74-67.
Looking physically unfit to be of much help, Iverson had an hard time against Omer Onan, the shooting guard of Fenerbahce who won silver in 2010 FIBA World Championship with the Turkish National Team. ‘The answer’ sat on the bench for the entire second and fourth periods, and he scored his only two points in the third, while Onan was not on the court. Aside from hitting only one of his six shot attempts in 19 minutes, Iverson had four rebounds and two turnovers.
These statistics were not bad enough to stop Besiktas fans from cheering for Iverson the whole game. But it’s not hard to guess that this reaction will change if the results stay the same. There is a possibility that the expectations are not as low as assumed.
“Iverson is one of the legends of basketball. I assume he’s not training regularly since more than one year. That’s why we need to be patient,” said one of Besiktas fans during halftime. But when his expectations for the whole season were asked, he didn’t seem that modest: “He should star by his own and be a team player at the same time. But the most important thing is that he should make us champions.”
Besiktas coach Burak Biyiktay sounded like he is not sure what to do with an unfit NBA star. “The expectations are so high regarding Iverson. But he’s unfit and unready. On the other hand we all want to see him play for a long time. So it’s a problem whether he plays or not,” said Besiktas’s low-profile coach in his post-game interview. “Today, he played almost 20 minutes, but did no help to the team. Allen Iverson is not the Allen Iverson that we know. He needs time.”
The Black Eagles lost both games with AI, and in Turkey even three defeats in a row can trigger a crisis. “Iverson may cause the coach to get fired in a month” said Onur Erdem, a reporter for NTV Spor, one of the most respected sport channels in Turkey. “Fans’ expectations are getting higher every day and Biyiktay, under the pressure of the fans, is letting Iverson play although he is not ready. In fact everybody is well aware that this roster can’t win the league. But with Iverson involved, people may start to think that the roster needs a high-profile coach. The situation is similar to Miami Heat, where people started to think that Erik Spoelstra won’t be able to handle a roster involving LeBron, Bosh and Wade.”
‘The answer’ has a two-year contract with Besiktas. But he is be able to leave the club next summer if he gets an offer from the NBA. He needs to start playing regularly soon and put up good statistics to be able to get the attention of NBA teams. But it seems that he needs to be patient and get into shape, quickly. As long as he’s physically unfit, it’s tough for him to be of much help.
How can this paradox be solved, that’s the question that Besiktas needs to find the answer.
