Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Rockets assign Aaron Brooks to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that guard Aaron Brooks has been assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, which is Houston’s NBA D-League affiliate. He becomes the 14th NBA player to be assigned to the D-League this season. Brooks joins teammate Steve Novak, who was assigned to the Vipers on Nov. 11.

The Rockets now become the third NBA team this season to have multiple players partake in D-League assignments, joining the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs.

Brooks (6-0, 161, Oregon), who was selected by Houston with the 26th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, has averaged 2.5 points in his two appearances with the Rockets this season. He played in his first NBA game vs. Phoenix (11/17/07), notching five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3FG). Brooks also averaged 21.4 points (.461, 35-76 FG) and 5.2 assists over five games with Houston in the 2007 NBA Summer League. He earned Rookie of the Month honors for Summer League and was named to the 2007 NBA Summer League All-Star Team.

In addition to his NBA Summer League honors, Brooks was one of the top-10 young NBA players named to a USA Basketball Men’s Select Team that was chosen to help prepare the 2007 USA Senior National Team for its gold-medal run at the FIBA Americas Championship 2007.

Cavs waive Demetris Nichols

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard/forward Demetris Nichols.  He played in three games for Cleveland and scored two points and grabbed one rebound in 14 minutes.

The main reason the team did this is because they’re matching the Charlotte Bobcats offer sheet to Anderson Varejao, meaning they will retain the player. Varejao becomes a Cavs player again today.

Cavs match Bobcats offer, keep Anderson Varejao

The Cleveland Cavaliers have matched the Charlotte Bobcats’ contract offer sheet signed by Anderson Varejao, General Manager Danny Ferry announced this morning.  By matching the Bobcats’ contract offer sheet, Varejao will now be under contract with the Cavaliers. Per the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

During the 2006-07 season, Varejao, 25, played in 81 games (six starts) averaging 6.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game and 23.9 minutes per game.  During the 2007 NBA Playoffs, he played in all 20 games and averaged 6.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game. Varejao has played in 183 career games (10 starts) and has averaged 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game.  He has played in 33 career playoff games and has averaged 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 15 players.

Randy Wittman to have back surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced today that head coach Randy Wittman will miss tonight’s game against the L.A. Lakers at Target Center as he prepares for back surgery. Wittman is scheduled to undergo back surgery tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 5). A timetable for his return to the sidelines will be set following the operation. In Wittman’s absence, Wolves assistant coach Jerry Sichting will assume the head coaching duties.

“This is a situation that has been progressively getting worse,” Wittman said. “The doctors said that in order to coach the remainder of the year, that it would be in my best interest to have the back surgery as soon as possible. I wish I could be out there tonight, but I know Jerry and the coaching staff will do a great job.”

76ers finally boot Billy King, hire Ed Stefanski

Years after many expected, the Philadelphia 76ers have finally fired general manager Billy King, and have replaced him with Ed Stefanski, who had been the Nets general manager for the last nine seasons.

King seemed to be content building the 76ers around players that are nice, but not true building blocks. Allen Iverson was never really surrounded with anything close to top talent, and the current Sixers basically have to build around Andre Iguodala, who is a budding star but isn’t expected to ever be a top-tier superstar.

The team is in full rebuild mode — or at least they should be — and Stefanski is a good hire.

Check the regular non-blog portion of InsideHoops.com for more details about this news.

Varjeo signs Bobcats offer sheet

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent Anderson Varejao.

In accordance with the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Varejao’s former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer.

“Anderson has established himself as a very good young player in this league,” said Higgins.  “We look forward to the opportunity to add him to the core of our franchise as we continue to grow and improve.”

Jerry Sloan signs extension

The Utah Jazz announced today the decision by Jerry Sloan to return as head coach through the 2008-09 season which will mark his 21st season at the helm of the Jazz.

“Jerry has led the Jazz franchise for the past 20 years and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Jazz Owner Larry H. Miller. “He teaches the game the way it ought to be played.”

Sloan has been Utah’s head coach since assuming the reins from former head coach Frank Layden on December 9, 1988. Sloan is the franchise’s winningest coach (953-573) and has the longest active tenure with one team of any coach in major professional sports. With 47 more wins, he will achieve the status as the only coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games with the same franchise.

More info on InsideHoops.com.

No S.Nash for Team Canada

The Associated Press reports: Canada still has a chance to play in the Olympics, but shouldn’t expect any help from Steve Nash. The Phoenix Suns star said Sunday night he probably would not play for the Canadians next summer even if they land a spot in the Beijing Games.

Nash hasn’t played for Team Canada in several years, since becoming a Phoenix Sun.