NBA News Blog – Page 1561 – NBA Blog

Martell Webster out until next season

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Martell Webster will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 regular season and the 2009 NBA Playoffs, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.

Webster underwent surgery on Oct. 9 to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. After being sidelined nearly two months, Webster returned to the court on Dec. 7 for Portland’s game at Toronto, but re-aggravated the injury.

“This was not an easy decision to make knowing just how hard Martell has worked to get back on the court this season,” said Pritchard. “The X-rays show significant progress, but the bone has not completely healed. We feel strongly that an extended period of rest will ensure a full recovery and allow Martell to be ready for fall training camp.”

A fourth-year Trail Blazer, Webster initially suffered the injury in an Oct. 7 preseason game vs. Sacramento.

“Throughout the course of the rehab I worked my tail off to get back out there and to come up short is disappointing,” said Webster. “Now I just have to refocus my energy on getting better, getting stronger, and being ready for the start of next season.”

There are no changes planned to Webster’s physical activity level. He will continue to rehabilitate on the stationary bike and elliptical trainer.

Webster, 22, has career averages of 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists while averaging 37.2% (279-for-750) from 3-point range in 219 games (115 starts) with the Trail Blazers.

Right leg pain will keep Phil Jackson home

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson will remain in Los Angeles instead of accompanying the team on its road trip to Portland, due to pain and swelling in his lower right leg caused by plantar fasciitis, it was announced today.

The Lakers will fly to Portland following tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets, and will play the Trail Blazers in Portland tomorrow night. The team will be coached by assistant coach Kurt Rambis in Jackson’s absence.

Jackson missed the Lakers’ first preseason game back on October 7 in Anaheim versus the Utah Jazz. He will rejoin the team for Saturday’s practice and is not expected to miss any additional games.

Knicks sign Mouhamed Sene

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent center Mouhamed Sene has been signed to a contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed. Sene, a member of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, became the 21st Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season.

Sene, 6-11, 230-pounds, averaged 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in five games this season with Oklahoma City before being released by the Thunder on Feb. 19. Sene then signed with Albuquerque and averaged 10.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in nine games. A native of Senegal, Sene was selected in the first round in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 10th overall pick. Sene has career averages of 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 46 NBA games over three seasons with Seattle/Oklahoma City.

The Knicks roster stands at 15 players.

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Cavaliers sign Jawad Williams

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Jawad Williams to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Williams (6-9, 220 pounds) played in nine games this season with the Cavaliers. In 10 total minutes, Williams scored four points and recorded one steal. The Cleveland native and St. Edward H.S. graduate made the Cavaliers’ 2008-09 opening day roster as a training camp invite. He was waived by the Cavaliers on January 7th and signed to consecutive 10-day contracts on Jan. 12 and 23.

Following his stint with the Cavaliers this season, Williams played in 19 games (18 starts) with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League. He averaged 25.7 points on .454 shooting, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 36.5 minutes per game.

The rookie forward is eligible to be on the Cavaliers’ postseason roster and will wear No. 31. The Cavaliers roster now stands at 15.

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Marvin Webster dead at 56

The AP reports: Marvin Webster, a fierce shot-blocking centre who helped lead the Seattle SuperSonics to the 1978 NBA finals, was found dead in a hotel bathtub. He was 56. His body was discovered in his room Monday morning in the downtown Ambassador Hotel, police said yesterday. Foul play is not suspected and the death apparently stemmed from an illness, police spokesman Jason Willingham said. Webster had been living at the hotel and employees grew concerned after not seeing him for several days.

Kings waive Will Solomon

The Sacramento Kings today requested waivers on guard Will Solomon, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Solomon, who is currently in his second NBA season, averaged 5.0 points (.406 FGs, .448 3FGs, .500 FTs) and 1.5 rebounds per game through 14 outings off the bench for the Kings.

Spurs sign SF Marcus Williams, waive Malik Hairston

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard Marcus Williams. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Williams was an All-League First Team Selection this season with the Austin Toros, the Spurs affiliate in the NBA Development League. In 45 games with the Toros, Williams averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He was named the D-League Performer of the Week for the week of 3/30 after averaging a triple-double with 27.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists in three games.

Williams, who is in his second year, appeared in 11 NBA games last season (10 with the L.A. Clippers and one with San Antonio) where he averaged 0.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 3.3 minutes. He also spent 36 games with the Toros where he averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Williams was drafted by San Antonio with the 33rd overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

The 22-year-old Williams was an early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft. He played two years at the University of Arizona, earning First Team All-Pac-10 honors after averaging 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds as a sophomore.

At the same time, the Spurs announced that they have waived guard/forward Malik Hairston.

J.J. Hickson out 2-3 weeks

The Akron Beacon Journal (George Thomas) reports (via blog): Cavaliers rookie J.J. Hickson will miss the next 2-3 weeks with a stress-related back injury, it was revealed today. The Cavs decided to shut down the rookie, who had a flare up approximately three months ago, after he began suffering symptoms 7-10 days ago.

Bulls re-sign Linton Johnson for rest of season

The Chicago Bulls today signed forward Linton Johnson III for the remainder of the season. Johnson, a 6-8, 205-pound forward, has appeared in four games with the Bulls this season, and averaged 1.0 ppg in 5.3 mpg. He will be in uniform tonight when the Bulls host the New York Knicks at 7:30 p.m. at the United Center.

Johnson, a fifth-year pro, played in two games with the Charlotte Bobcats at the start of the 2008-09 campaign.

During the 2003-04 season, Johnson played in 41 games with Chicago and posted averages of 4.2 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 17.9 mpg. He has also enjoyed stints with the San Antonio Spurs (member of the 2005 NBA Championship team), New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns and Bobcats. For his career, he has appeared in 147 games (27 starts) and posted averages of 3.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 14.2 mpg. He owns career shooting averages of .417 from the field and .699 from the line.

Johnson, 28, was undrafted out of Tulane University.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 14.

Danilo Gallinari has back surgery

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced that forward Danilo Gallinari had successful back surgery today. The laminotomy, performed by orthopedic spine specialist Dr. Patrick O’Leary at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, is a surgical procedure that shaves the bony plate surrounding a nerve root. Gallinari is expected to have a full recovery in 6-8 weeks.

In 28 games this season, the 6-10, 225-pound rookie averaged 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 14.7 minutes. On Mar. 4 versus Atlanta, Gallinari recorded a career-high 17 points.