NBA News Blog – Page 1514 – NBA Blog

Rockets sign Pops Mensah-Bonsu

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu (MEN-sa BON-sue). Per team policy, financial terms were not released. We’ll post contract info tomorrow.

Mensah-Bonsu (6-9, 235, George Washington) has averaged 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 34 career games with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. In 2008-09, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 12.9 minutes in 22 total games with the Spurs and Raptors. Signed to a 10-day contract by San Antonio on Feb. 25, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 6.7 minutes over three contests with the Spurs. He was waived by San Antonio on Mar. 4 and was signed by Toronto for the remainder of the season on Mar. 6.

In 19 outings with the Raptors, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game. He set career highs for points (21), free throws made (11) and free throw attempts (13) with Toronto vs. Indiana (3/15/09). Mensah-Bonsu also averaged 26.6 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in eight games (eight starts) with the NBA D-League Austin Toros. He actually began the season with DKV Joventut in the Spanish League, averaging 18.5 points in two contests (one start).

He began his NBA career with Dallas in 2006-07, averaging 2.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 5.9 minutes in 12 games with the Mavericks. Mensah-Bonsu also averaged 15.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 30.7 minutes per game in 26 contests (21 starts) with the D-League Fort Worth Flyers in 2006-07. His play with the Flyers earned him selection to the Eastern Division All-Star Team, where he was named MVP of the 2007 D-League All-Star Game after posting 30 points (11-13 FG) and seven rebounds. A native of London, England, Mensah-Bonsu has also played overseas with Benetton Treviso and CB Granada.

Mensah-Bonsu finished his four-year collegiate career with averages of 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 112 games at George Washington University. He averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds as a senior, pacing the Colonials in field goal percentage (.564) and blocks (38). Mensah-Bonsu was named to the NABC All-District 4 First Team and to Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team in his final campaign at George Washington.

Robert Traylor tax problems

Paul Egan of the Detroit News reports: Former University of Michigan and NBA basketball player Robert “Tractor” Traylor has paid only a fraction of the $178,000 he owes the Internal Revenue Service, nearly two years after he was sentenced in federal court for a felony tax conviction. Now, Traylor has been summoned to appear before U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn on Sept. 14 after the probation department complained his failure to pay or work out a written payment plan violates the terms of his probation, according to federal court records filed Wednesday. Traylor also has not filed his 2008 income tax returns, as required, U.S. Probation Officer Shawn McElroy wrote in a report.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Well, that all sounds fantastic!

Hawks sign Jason Collins

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran center Jason Collins, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not announced.

“Jason provides us with additional size and a good interior defensive presence,” Sund said. “He has extensive experience, having started in two NBA Finals with the Nets, and is another player with strong character and leadership qualities.”

An eight-year veteran, Collins spent last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he appeared in 31 games (22 starts), and averaged 1.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg.

He spent his first six-and-a-half seasons with the New Jersey Nets, where he appeared in 510 contests (starting 404 of them) before he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on February 4, 2008 in exchange for Stromile Swift. He then came to the Timberwolves as part of an eight-player deal on June 26, 2008 that also involved Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo.

Collins has played in 572 career regular season games, including 429 starting assignments, averaging 4.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.0 apg in 23.4 mpg (.410 FG%, .648 FT%). Collins also has significant postseason experience, playing in 75 playoff games (3.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), including two trips to the NBA Finals with the Nets in 2002 and 2003.

The native of Southern California played four seasons at Stanford University alongside twin brother Jarron (now of the Utah Jazz). He earned Honorable Mention All-America by the Associated Press and was named to the All Pac-10 First Team in 2001, after putting in 14.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Collins attended Harvard-Westlake Prep in North Hollywood, California.

Jason Paul Collins was born December 2, 1978 in Northridge, California. He will wear uniform number 34.

Warriors sign Mikki Moore

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent center Mikki Moore to a contract, the team announced today. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that it’s a one-year, $1.3 million contract.

Moore, 33, is an 11-year NBA veteran who owns career averages of 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 18.2 minutes per contest in 534 regular-season games combined with Detroit, Boston, Atlanta, New Jersey, Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle and Sacramento. For his career, he has shot 55.0% from the field and 74.3% from the free throw line. Additionally, he has appeared in 25 playoff games, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per contest.

“We’re happy to add a veteran with Mikki’s experience to our squad,” said General Manager Larry Riley. “He’ll provide additional depth at the center position for our team and we think that is important, especially when you consider the number of injuries that we had last season. He’s played a significant role on a couple of teams in recent years and that experience will prove beneficial for us when he is called upon during the course of the season.”

Last season, the seven-foot center appeared in 70 regular season games with Sacramento (46 games, 20 starts) and Boston (24 games), averaging a combined 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game. He also appeared in 10 postseason games with the Celtics, averaging 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 6.6 minutes.

In the two years prior to last season, Moore posted arguably the two best campaigns of his NBA career. In 2007-08, he appeared in all 82 games for Sacramento, making 79 starts, and averaging 8.5 points and a career-high 6.0 rebounds in a career-high 29.1 minutes per game. The previous season (2006-07) with New Jersey, Moore appeared in 79 games (55 starts), averaging a career-high 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 26.4 minutes, while shooting a career-high 60.9% from the field.

Mikki (pronounced MY-key) will wear uniform #33.

Nets hire John Loyer as assistant coach

The New Jersey Nets have named John Loyer as an assistant coach, team President Rod Thorn announced today. Loyer joins Tom Barrise, Roy Rogers and Doug Overton as a member of Head Coach Lawrence Frank’s staff.

“We are pleased to add John to Coach Frank’s staff,” said Thorn. “The experience he has gained in both Philadelphia and Portland will be an asset to both the players and coaches.”

Loyer joins the Nets following four seasons as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Loyer spent a total of five seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers as the team’s video coordinator (2000-01), advance scout (2001-03) and assistant coach (2003-05).

Before joining the Trail Blazers staff in 2000, Loyer spent 12 years in the collegiate coaching ranks with stops at Wabash Valley College (1999-00), University of Akron (1987-89) and the University of Cincinnati (1989-99). He was an assistant at Cincinnati for 10 years during which time the Bearcats made it to the Final Four once and twice to the Elite Eight.

Overall, while an assistant coach on the college level, teams he worked with posted a 234-86 (.731) record. The team Loyer recruited at Wabash Valley College went on to win the 2001 National Junior College championship.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Akron, Loyer was a four-year letterman in basketball and earned a degree in social studies. He and his wife Katie have three children, sons Foster and Fletcher, and daughter, Jersey.

Kwame Brown`s mother dies

The Detroit Free Press reports: Kwame Brown’s mother has died. Joyce Brown, 61, was pronounced dead Monday at Southeast Georgia Health System’s Brunswick hospital, the Florida Times-Union reported. “The preliminary investigation indicates she died of natural causes,” Glynn County (Ga.) coroner Jimmy Durden said. “There is no indication of foul play.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: The article goes on to say that she had some health problems and that there’s no indication of foul play. Anyway, all the best to Kwame and his family. I’m sorry for his loss.

Amar`e Stoudemire returns to playing basketball

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports: Amaré Stoudemire’s competitive basketball play was back Tuesday and so was his eyewear. Going against a defender for the first time since a 42-point game on Feb. 18, Stoudemire played four-on-four, half-court games at US Airways Center with teammates also participating in voluntary workouts. “Sometimes, I felt like it was going faster than I expected, as far as competition,” Stoudemire said. “Other than that, I felt great. To finally be back out there with the guys and running sprints with them, I got my family back. It’s almost like you ran away from home for a while. Now, you’re back home and you feel how great it is to be around your family.”

Discuss Suns basketball in the InsideHoops Phoenix Suns forum.

Ed Pinckney joins 76ers broadcast team

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, the leader in local sports coverage, today announced that Ed Pinckney has joined the 76ers broadcast team as color analyst. Pinckney will work alongside Marc Zumoff for all 76ers broadcasts on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ed back home and to have someone with his credentials join Marc Zumoff, providing Sixers fans with one of the best broadcast teams in the NBA,” said Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Monihan. “Ed’s experience in the NBA, combined with his broadcasting experience and background as a player and coach at Villanova, will provide the insightful analysis and unique perspective that Sixers’ fans have come to expect from our talented crew.”

“I am extremely excited to be back in Philadelphia and to be a part of the Comcast SportsNet family,” said Pinckney. “I am honored to work alongside Marc Zumoff, and to share the passion and excitement that we both have for the Sixers with the fans of Philadelphia.”

“We are excited that Ed Pinckney will be returning to Philadelphia to join Marc Zumoff on our Sixers telecasts in order to provide fans with one of the most experienced, knowledgeable and talented broadcasting tandems in the NBA,” said Sixers Senior Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price. “It seems only fitting that the city in which he won a National Championship while at Villanova University now welcomes him back as a member of Comcast SportsNet and the Sixers family.”

While playing for Villanova, Pinckney led the Wildcats to the 1985 National Championship with a 66-64 upset of the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas.

Pinckney played 12 years in the NBA, including one as a Sixer during the 1995-96 season. Following his retirement from the NBA in 1997, he joined the Miami Heat’s radio and television broadcasting team. He then spent four seasons at his alma mater as an assistant coach and most recently served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pinckney also served as a Sixers Postgame Live analyst for two seasons.

Pinckney will join Zumoff for all Sixers broadcasts. Zumoff enters his 16th season as the Sixers television play-by-play announcer and his 28th as a part of the 76ers broadcast team.

Discuss the team on the InsideHoops Philadelphia 76ers forum.

Ricky Rubio stays in Spain two more years

The following statements are from Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn and Ricky Rubio regarding Rubio’s decision to continue playing professionally in Spain.

David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations:

“On Saturday night, an agreement was reached between Dan Fegan, the agent for Ricky Rubio, Jordi Villacampa, the president of Joventut Badalona, and myself on behalf of the Minnesota Timberwolves to buy out the last two years of Ricky’s contract with Joventut so that he could play in the NBA next season.

While the term sheet was being finalized Monday night, Ricky informed me that, despite considering us his first option the previous weekend – and, admittedly, after some back and forth throughout the summer – he preferred to stay at home to play for FC Barcelona, which earlier this summer had made a buyout offer to Joventut. He also reaffirmed that it was his intention to join us in Minnesota two years from now when he will be 20.

This morning I met with Ricky and his parents and told them that I understood Ricky’s decision. It was clear to me yesterday and in this morning’s meeting that the pressure surrounding Ricky and his family to remain in Spain for at least two more years had only intensified as the summer wore on and was weighing heavily on them.

The NBA is the best basketball league in the world, by far. As an 18-year-old man, Ricky would have been challenged on a nightly basis to a degree he has never experienced. In order for Ricky to meet this challenge fully, I believe it is important that his family and other people important to him were comfortable with the move to the NBA and fully supportive.

I also agreed with Ricky’s position that two more years of competition in Spain and the Euroleague will only aid his development and that he will be much more ready for the NBA when he joins us.

On the night of the draft, I explained that the decision to draft Ricky was not difficult – that he was 18, the youngest player in the draft, and we were a building team that could wait for him. Nothing has changed. When we received signals from Ricky this summer that he was considering accelerating his path to the NBA and joining us sooner, we threw ourselves into this process willingly and energetically, including meeting with Joventut on four separate occasions.

I explained to Ricky this morning that, starting today, I would now focus all my attention on the coming season for the Timberwolves and our current roster. We have begun the process to build a championship-contending team and this coming season will be an exciting one. I wished Ricky well and told him that, while I could not predict the future, I expected to see him in Minnesota soon.

I want to thank everybody who worked so hard on this process this summer, including Jonathan Blue and Dan Fegan of BEST and everybody associated with the Timberwolves family.”

Ricky Rubio Speaks

Ricky Rubio said the following: “The reason leading me to take this next step is to have a period of preparation to better take the challenge of the NBA in better conditions as a player. The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to be my first option and I wish to play with them in the near future.”

InsideHoops Editor Weighs In

This isn’t necessarily bad for the Wolves in the long run. Had Rubio come, he and Jonny Flynn would likely have competed with each other for minutes. Now, they’ll each continue to develop with a bit less obstruction. Though, this makes it harder for the rebuilding process to succeed since the team won’t be able to judge how Rubio fits in with star Al Jefferson and their other potentially key young guy, Kevin Love.

I still think that had Rubio come to the NBA this year the Wolves would have wound up trading him or Flynn in the not-so-distant future. In fact, I’ve heard unconfirmed rumblings that was the plan all along.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

China fires national team basketball coach

China’s national basketball team took a chance on an extremely young coach, but things got ugly in a hurry. Reuters reports:

Less than four months after becoming China’s youngest national basketball team coach, Guo Shiqiang looks like being one of the shortest-lived occupants of the post as well after a series of disappointing results.

Chinese media have been near unanimous in calling for the head of the 34-year-old former team mate of Yao Ming after defeats to Australia and Turkey followed last month’s embarrassing loss to Iran in the Asian championship final.

Liaoning Daily suggested it was “Time for restructuring” while the Shenzhen News announced the start of the “Countdown to Guo’s dismissal.”

Reuters also quotes other Chinese media outlets as calling for the guy’s dismissal. It sounds like every single person to ever live in China wanted him gone.

Discuss world hoops in the InsideHoops international basketball forum.