NBA News Blog – Page 1608 – NBA Blog

Toronto Raptors sign Jake Voskuhl

The Toronto Raptors announced Sunday they have signed free-agent centre Jake Voskuhl. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

Voskuhl, 31, is an eight-year NBA veteran. He has played for Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte and Milwaukee, averaging 4.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 15.1 minutes in 412 regular season games. He has also made 92 career starts. He has recorded career bests of 20 points (April 6, 2002 at Minnesota) and 16 rebounds (January 20, 2004 versus San Antonio).

The 6-foot-11, 255 pounder was selected 33rd overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He was acquired by Phoenix in October 2001 and spent four seasons with the Suns. He posted career highs of 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 24.3 minutes and 43 starts in the 2003-04 campaign.

Voskuhl participated in his lone postseason action in 2002-03 as a member of the Suns, where he averaged 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 16.3 minutes in six games. He shot .706 (12-17) from the field and .923 (12-13) from the free throw line.

The native of Katy, Texas averaged 6.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 138 career games at the University of Connecticut. He helped the Huskies capture the 1999 NCAA Championship.

The Raptors play host to the New Jersey Nets on Monday at Air Canada Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.

Bonzi Wells signs in China

Xinhau reports: Former Houston Rockets’ guard Bonzi Wells arrived China on Friday afternoon to join Shanxi Zhongyu of the Chinese Basketball Association league, the club confirmed on Friday. The 32-year-old agreed a one-year contract with the club and the details of the contract were not disclosed. The club manager Zhang Beihai denied a rumour of 80,000 U.S.-dollar salary for the former teammate of Yao Ming, the most famous Chinese basketball player in the NBA, saying Well’s salary is around half of the amount.

Sixers fire coach Mo Cheeks

The AP reports: Maurice Cheeks was fired Saturday as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, who are slumping at 9-14 a year after making the playoffs. Assistant general manager Tony DiLeo was appointed interim coach. The moves were confirmed by a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because an announcement had not been made. The team scheduled an afternoon news conference with general manager Ed Stefanski Cheeks was one of more the popular players in 76ers history and was starting his fourth season as coach. Stefanski had given Cheeks two contract extensions in the past season, but the slow start was enough to cost him his job.

Update: Full official firing announcement here.

InsideHoops.com editor says: It’s wild how so many of the league’s coaches who just 1-3 seasons ago got pretty nice attention for overachieving and taking their squads to a better than expected record have gotten the axe. Cheeks didn’t work any miracles in Philadelphia, but last season’s Sixers did win a few games more than expected. Anyway, more on this in the next hour or so. Reload this page later in an hour or two, and also check our front page.

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

Grizzlies sign Darius Miles

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that they have signed free agent forward Darius Miles. Terms of the deal were not disclosed per team policy.

“Darius has been an active, productive player in the past,” said Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace. “He did a good job with the Celtics in preseason and we look forward to working with him.”

The third overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, Miles played six NBA seasons (2000-06) with Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers. The 6-9, 235-pound forward averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.15 blocks in 27.7 minutes in 412 career games (190 starts).

Miles, 27, missed all of 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons while recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee, but recently attempted a comeback with the Boston Celtics. After signing a free-agent contract with Boston on Aug. 22, 2008, he appeared in six preseason contests, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.4 minutes. He was waived by the Celtics on Oct. 20.

The Bellville, Illinois native became the first player in league history drafted straight out of high school (East St. Louis High School) to earn All-Rookie honors when he averaged 9.4 points and 1.54 blocks per game for the Clippers in 2000-01. In his last NBA season in 2005-06, Miles posted career highs in points (14.0) and minutes played (32.2) per game with the Trail Blazers.

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

Euroleague Week 7 MVP is Rawle Marshall

Euroleague.net reports: Cibona’s excellent start to the season has been in part thanks to the great contributions of swingman Rawle Marshall and he now has some individual honors to go with his team’s success. Marshall not only helped Cibona register a critical win against Le Mans, but he also registered the best individual performance in Week 7 with a 34 index. Marshall led Cibona to a 89-70 home win with 21 points on 5-for-5 two-point and 2-for-3 three-point shooting. He added 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 8 fouls drawn to amass that 34 index. Meanwhile Kaya Peker helped Efes Pilsen rejoin the Top 16 race in Group D. Efes beat AJ Milano 74-67 behind 19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 10 fouls drawn from Peker, good for a 31 index.

Magic re-sign Jeremy Richardson

The Orlando Magic have re-signed guard/forward Jeremy Richardson, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

Richardson (6’7”, 195, 3/1/84, Delta State) has appeared in just one game this season for the Magic and did not score in two minutes. He also played in three preseason contests, averaging 4.0 ppg. in 8.0 minpg. Richardson was waived on December 6.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 15 players.

The Magic begin a five-game, eight-day road trip on Monday, December 8 @ L.A. Clippers. Orlando’s next home game is Thursday, December 18 vs. San Antonio. Game time is 8 pm ET.

Thunder drawing fans

The AP reports: No matter how many ways the Oklahoma City Thunder find to lose, they certainly don’t seem to have any trouble finding people to watch it happen. Despite having an NBA-worst 2-21 record heading into the weekend, the Thunder are one of the bigger draws in the league. Only this week did Oklahoma City fall out of the top 10 in attendance, and that came after the two smallest crowds of the season came to watch losses to Golden State and Memphis — two other teams near the bottom of the Western Conference. Still, the Thunder are averaging 18,473 fans per game to rank 12th in the NBA, just ahead of West playoff contenders Phoenix, San Antonio and Houston.

Juwan Howard joins Bobcats

As previously reported was going to happen, NBA veteran big-man Juwan Howard has signed with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Click that link for the full story.

The Bobcats are weak in the big-man department, so any help they get is much-needed. At this point in his career it’s not likely Juwan will play many minutes. Though the only Bobcats who is sure to get lots of court time is Emeka Okafor, who is scoring just 12.9 points per game despite being their go-to option down low. He barely misses, shooting 59.5% this season, and grabs an impressive 10.8 rebounds per game, but has no other big guys around him who can even pretend to play basketball.

So, Howard can help a bit.

Discuss your reaction with other fans in this forum thread.

Thunder recall Steven Hill from D-League

Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has recalled center Steven Hill from the Tulsa 66ers of the National Basketball Development League.

Hill, who was assigned to Tulsa on November 21st, averaged 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 25.6 minutes per contest. Hill appeared in five games, including three starts, for the 66ers.

Hill will practice with the Thunder tomorrow.

Ilgauskas sprains ankle

Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas suffered a left ankle sprain with 9:39 remaining in the fourth quarter in last night’s game in Philadelphia. He did not return to the game. He was examined by Dr. Richard Parker at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health today. X-rays were negative and a moderate left ankle sprain is confirmed. He is listed as OUT for tomorrow’s game versus Philadelphia and his status will be updated as appropriate.