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Miami Heat sign Michael Beasley

While a growing number of teams have felt that Michael Beasley’s on and off-court decisions aren’t what they’re looking for, the defending NBA champions apparently feel differently.

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed Beasley. According to Yahoo Sports, it’s just a training camp contract, and Beasley must still compete to make the roster to earn his one-year, minimum contract deal of $1 million.

“Michael had the best years of his career with us,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We feel that he can help us.”

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Beasley becomes the 17th player on the Heat’s training-camp roster, one of four invited to camp without guaranteed contracts. Teams may carry between 13 and 15 players during the regular season, but up to 20 in training camp. While Beasley will receive the five-year veteran minimum of $1,027,424, the Heat’s actual salary-cap hit will be only $788,872, under the NBA’s minimum-salary policy. In addition, Beasley is still collecting on the final two seasons of his bought-out Suns contract.”

According to the Miami Herald, “Beasley agreed to a one-year, nonguaranteed deal with Miami after recently being released by the Phoenix Suns. He was arrested for possession of marijuana in Scottsdale, Ariz., in August. Beasley, now 24 years old, has been linked to marijuana at every stop in his NBA career and his colorful history with the Heat is well documented. But at such a bargain, the team decided giving the inconsistent forward one more shot couldn’t hurt. With the league’s highly punitive luxury-tax system kicking in after this season, the Heat has gone with reclamation projects to fill out its roster and add depth.”

Beasley, a five-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 354 NBA games (197 starts) and averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 26.4 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field. Last season, he averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.7 minutes of action while shooting 40.5 percent from the field with the Phoenix Suns.

Beasley, who was originally drafted by Miami in the first round (2nd overall) in the 2008 NBA Draft, appeared in 159 games (97 starts) with the HEAT and averaged 14.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 27.3 minutes while shooting 46.1 percent from the field. In his two seasons in Miami, Beasley helped guide the HEAT to two consecutive postseason berths, appearing in 12 playoff games (four starts) and averaging 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 40.9 percent from the field.

Dallas Mavericks sign Fab Melo, D.J. Kennedy and Richard McConnell

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed Fab Melo, D.J. Kennedy and Richard McConnell to expand the current roster to 17 players. We assume that the contracts are non-guaranteed and the players have merely landed spots in Mavs training camp, for now.

Melo (7-0, 255) is a former Syracuse University standout and Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He was originally the 22nd overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He played only six games for the Celtics and spent a majority of the season assigned to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League where was named NBA D-League All-Rookie First Team and All-Defensive First Team. On August 15, 2013, Melo was traded to Memphis in exchange for Donte Green. He was waived by Memphis on August 30.

Kennedy (6-6, 215) is a 2013 NBA D-League All-Star who helped the Rio Grande Valley Vipers win the D-League Championship in 2013. He played in two career games with Cleveland and scored a career-high 12 points for the Cavaliers in his NBA debut on April 25, 2012. The Pittsburgh native played his college ball at St. John’s University.

McConnell (6-0, 189) finished as one of the top all-around players in St. Mary’s history (2007-11). He ranks among the top 10 career leaders in 3-point field goals made (3rd) and attempted (6th), 3-point percentage (2nd), free throw percentage (5th), assists (2nd), assists average (7th), steals (tied for 6th) and games played (4th). As a senior, he was named WCC Player of the Year and honorable mention All-America by the Associated Press. Last season, he played for Tezenis VE in Italy and averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 32 games. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Italian Lega2 Honorable Mention.

Miami Heat sign Eric Griffin and Justin Hamilton

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward Eric Griffin and center Justin Hamilton. We assume these are non-guaranteed deals for training camp, and neither player is assured of making the regular season Heat roster just yet.

Griffin appeared in 10 games (seven starts) for the Heat’s 2013 Summer League team and averaged 6.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.25 steals and 19.0 minutes while shooting 57.4 percent from the field. He appeared in 28 games with Fileni BPA Jesi of the Italian Lega2 last season and averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.82 steals, 1.29 blocks, 1.2 assists and 32.0 minutes while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. The Campbell University product finished with the school’s highest career field goal percentage (.559) and ranks third on the school’s all-time blocks list with 134 rejections.

Hamilton, who was drafted in the second round (45th overall) by Philadelphia in the 2012 NBA Draft, was acquired by the Heat on draft night, along with a future first round draft pick, in exchange for Arnett Moultrie (27th overall). He split last season with VEF Riga (Latvia) of the VTB United League and Cibona (Croatia) of the Adriatic League appearing in 30 total games and averaging 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 60.2 percent from the field. Additionally, Hamilton appeared in three 2012 Summer League games with the Heat totaling 27 points and 12 rebounds in 56:43 minutes of action while shooting 8-of-17 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the foul line.

Pacers sign Ron Howard and Darnell Jackson

The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday the signing of free agents Ron Howard and Darnell Jackson. We assume (but have not confirmed) that these are nonguaranteed deals for training camp, merely giving the players a chance to make the regular season roster.

Howard is a 6-5 guard/forward who played with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League last season.

Jackson is a 6-8 forward who played with the Reno Bighorns of the D-League last season. He has played with Cleveland, Milwaukee and Sacramento in the NBA.

Timberwolves promote David Adelman, hire Bobby Jackson

The Minnesota Timberwolves today promoted David Adelman to assistant coach and hired Bobby Jackson as player development coach.

“David is a bright young coach and has demonstrated the past two years that he is ready to take on additional responsibilities,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “In Bobby Jackson, we are bringing a Minnesota basketball icon back to our state. Bobby has the respect of players around our league and did a great job working with the young Kings players this past season. Both Rick Adelman and I are very familiar with Bobby and are excited to have him on our coaching staff.”

Adelman spent the past two seasons as the Wolves’ player development coach where he was responsible for assisting in all of the team’s player development initiatives. This past summer he served as head coach of the Timberwolves Summer League entry and was co-head coach of the team in the summer of 2012.

Prior to joining the Wolves, Adelman went 83-53 in five seasons as head basketball coach at Lincoln High School in Portland, Ore. He led the Cardinals to Portland Interscholastic District Championships in the 2006-07, 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, while also reaching the Oregon Class 6A state championship final in 2009.

Prior to coaching at Lincoln, Adelman was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Jesuit High School in Portland, from 2001-06, helping the team win a state title in 2005.

Jackson returns to Minnesota after serving as assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings the past two seasons. Prior to that, Jackson worked in a regional scout/player development capacity in 2010-11 and was the team’s first-ever Ambassador in 2009-10.

Jackson finished his 12-year NBA career in 2009 after playing for six teams: Denver, (1997-98), Minnesota (1998–00), Sacramento (2001-05, 2008-09), Memphis (2005-06), New Orleans (2006-08), and Houston (2007-08). In his two seasons with the Wolves, Jackson averaged 5.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 123 games (10 starts). He won the NBA’s Sixth Man award in 2002-03 while playing for the Kings.

Jackson starred at the University of Minnesota where he led the Golden Gophers to the 1997 Final Four. During that season he averaged 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists, and scored 36 points in an NCAA Tournament double-overtime win against Clemson.

A Salisbury, N.C. native, Jackson and his wife, Dona, are parents of Breann (19), Kendrick (17), Skyy (13), Sarah (10), and Sebella (4).

Brooklyn Nets will retire jersey of Jason Kidd

The Brooklyn Nets have announced that the team will retire the No. 5 jersey of current head coach and former captain Jason Kidd prior to their October 17th preseason matchup with the Miami Heat. The game will be televised locally by the YES Network and nationally by TNT, with tip-off at 8:00 p.m.

“My warmest congratulations to Jason as we commemorate his outstanding career as an NBA player and his unparalleled contribution to the Nets franchise,” said Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov. “As one chapter closes, another will soon be written and I know that we are all looking forward to Jason’s continued successes.”

“This honor is richly deserved,” said Nets General Manager Billy King. “Jason is firmly established in the Nets’ record books as the greatest player in the team’s NBA history, and the retirement of his #5 is a fitting conclusion to his legacy as a Nets’ player.”

“This is a very humbling honor and one that I will always cherish,” said Kidd. “There can be no greater recognition of an athlete’s time with any team than to have his number retired, and this gesture by the Nets organization validates a very significant portion of my career that was spent as a player with this franchise.”

Kidd becomes the sixth player in franchise history have his number raised to the rafters, joining Drazen Petrovic (#3), John Williamson (#23), Bill Melchionni (#25), Julius Erving (#32) and Charles ‘Buck’ Williams (#52), who was the most recent honoree in April, 1999.

Kidd, who captained the Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, played in 506 games over six and a half seasons for New Jersey, averaging 14.6 points, 9.1 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. Throughout his tenure with the Nets, Kidd led the team to six consecutive playoff appearances, including two Eastern Conference Championships and four Atlantic Division titles. As a Net, Kidd was selected as an NBA All-Star five times while being named to an All-NBA team three times and an NBA All-Defensive team six times. In Nets all-time NBA history, Kidd currently ranks first in assists (4,620), steals (950), three-point field goals made (813) and triple-doubles 61, second in minutes played (18,737), fourth in points (7,373) and rebounds (3,662), fifth in games played (506) and sixth in field goals made (2,613) and free throws made (1,352). In 78 playoff games, Kidd holds Nets all-time records for points, assists, rebounds, steals, field goals made/attempted, three-point field goals made/attempted, minutes and games played.

Over his 19 year NBA playing career, Kidd holds averages of 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.93 steals, while playing for Dallas, Phoenix, New Jersey and New York. On the League’s all-time leaders lists he ranks: second in assists (12,091) and steals (2,684), third in minutes (50,111), three-point field goals (1,988) and triple-doubles (107), sixth in games played (1,391), 50th overall in rebounds and first overall amongst guards (8,725), 71st in points scored (17,529).

Kidd appeared in 158 postseason games, averaging 12.9 points, 8.0 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.91 steals and helped the Dallas Mavericks to the 2011 NBA Championship. He also is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, leading Team USA in 2000 at Sydney and in 2008 in Beijing.

The former number two pick of the 1994 NBA Draft out of the University of California and Co-Rookie of the Year (Grant Hill), Kidd is a 10-time NBA All-Star (1996, 1998, 2000-04, 2007-08, 2010), a five-time All-NBA First-Team selection (1999-02, 2004) and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 2003. He was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team four times (1999, 2001, 2002, 2006) and Second Team five times (2000, 2003-05, 2007).

Rick Pitino, Gary Payton, Bernard King, others inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Rick Pitino remembers the training meals at the pizza place where his Boston University teams ate more than 30 years ago.

Even Hall of Famers have to start somewhere.

That obscure beginning provided a foundation for a coaching career that took him to two NBA teams and three other colleges, all reaching the Final Four and two winning NCAA championships.

”Coaches don’t get in the Hall of Fame,” Pitino said Sunday at his induction. ”Players put them in the Hall of Fame and I’ve had a great journey along the way.” …

Two former college coaches were inducted as part of the second straight 12-member class, the largest in the Hall’s history – Jerry Tarkanian, 83, who led UNLV to the 1990 NCAA championship, and Guy Lewis, 91, who took Houston to five Final Fours. Tarkanian, who had heart surgery less than two months ago, came on stage with a walker. Lewis was in a wheelchair. Both smiled as they received standing ovations.

Also inducted Sunday into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame were Gary Payton, the only NBA player with 20,000 points, 8,000 assists, 5,000 rebounds and 2,000 steals; Bernard King, who averaged 22.5 points in 15 NBA seasons with five teams; North Carolina women’s coach Sylvia Hatchell; five-time WNBA All-Star Dawn Staley; former Knicks guard Richie Guerin; former NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik; and Oscar Schmidt, who played in five Olympics for Brazil.

E.B. Henderson, who learned basketball at Harvard in 1904 then introduced it to African-American students in Washington, D.C., and four-time ABA All-Star Roger Brown of the Indiana Pacers were enshrined posthumously.

Reported by Howard Ulman of the Associated Press

Tarkanian is fighting serious health issues. His family said they specifically noticed an improvement after the coach, best known for his work at UNLV, got word in the spring he would be inducted. As the ceremony approached, and he fought back after a scare, it seemed to be another boost. Once “Tark” got here, after all the years of refusing to be worn down by the NCAA, after previously coming off the Hall ballot from a lack of support, he got an embrace that was one of the warmest moments of the last several enshrinements…

Schmidt was here about 4 ½ months after a second surgery to remove a brain tumor. Ever the showman, he stepped to the podium, closed his eyes and stood in silence for about 14 seconds before speaking. Having already described how he was so overwhelmed to get news of his election while driving that he had to pull over, having already called the weekend the highlight of his career, the former Brazilian scoring sensation delivered a speech of humor — an appreciation for his presenter, Larry Bird, and ultimately choking up and getting watery eyes when speaking to his wife in the audience.

Reported by Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com

J.R. Smith suspended five games for violating anti-drug program

The NBA announced today that J.R. Smith of the New York Knicks has been suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. Smith’s suspension will begin with the first game of the 2013-14 season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

According to the New York Daily News, “the punishment suggests that Smith did not test positive for a performance-enhancing drug but instead tested positive for marijuana. According to the league’s drug policy a player is suspended five games after a third positive test for marijuana A second offense results in a $25,000 fine while first positive test calls for the player to enter a program. Smith, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, is currently recovering from knee surgery and is not expected to be ready for the Knicks Oct. 30 regular season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. In a statement released by the league on Friday, the NBA said “Smith’s suspension will begin with the first game of the 2013-14 season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.”

More from the Daily News: “Smith signed a three-year deal worth $17 million which includes a player option after the second year of the contract. Smith averaged a career high 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists during the regular season.”

Minnesota Timberwolves hire Milt Newton as general manager

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the hiring of Milt Newton as the team’s General Manager.

“We are pleased to add Milt Newton to our organization.” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “I have followed Milt closely during his career and have always been impressed with his basketball knowledge, work ethic and professionalism. His front office experience in the NBA, as well as his ability to combine analytics evaluation with his basketball playing and scouting background will greatly benefit our organization.”

Newton brings a lengthy and varied list of basketball credentials to his General Manager position. He will assist Saunders in the evaluation and acquisition of players and in the overall management of all Basketball Operations for the Wolves. He spent the last 10 seasons with the Washington Wizards, most recently as the team’s Vice President of Player Personnel.

Prior to joining the Wizards organization, Newton was instrumental in spearheading the creation of the NBA Developmental League. In that role, he worked closely with NBA Commissioner David Stern and served as the NBADL Director of Player Personnel for three years. Newton previously spent one year as a Scout with the Philadelphia 76ers and was also the Assistant Director for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team programs from 1995-99. His duties with USA Basketball included coordinating the team trials, training camps, exhibition games and team competitions for the various level National Teams, and acting as liaison for the Men’s National Teams at international competitions.

In college, Newton was a starter for the 1988 University of Kansas NCAA National Championship team. He was named in 1988 to the NCAA Midwest Regional and Final Four All-Tournament teams. After serving as Team Captain and being selected as the Kansas MVP in 1989, Newton played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association for the Rockford Lightning and Grand Rapids Hoops.

Newton is well thought of by members of the basketball community:

“Milt possesses an extraordinary skill set that is a great fit for the Timberwolves organization,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “His exceptional work ethic and basketball acumen played a large role in the launch and success of the NBA Development League. I am extremely pleased for Milt and the Timberwolves who will no doubt benefit from the tremendous experience he brings to their front office.”

“Milt is like family to me, he’s a special person and I’m thrilled that he is getting this long-overdue opportunity,” said former NBA coach Larry Brown. “I admire Flip Saunders and Glen Taylor and think the Timberwolves are a phenomenal organization that is getting better on the court. Milt is a hard-working, loyal guy who will help them succeed.”

“I have great respect for Milt as a person,” said long-time NBA executive Wayne Embry Sr. “I have great respect for his basketball knowledge and his philosophy as how to build an organization and team. Milt will be successful because of his hard work, his dedication and tremendous people skill. The Timberwolves have made a good choice.”

“This is a well-deserved opportunity for Milt to further his career,” said Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “We wish him and his family the best and thank him for his contributions to the Wizards organization over the last 10 years.”
“Congratulations to Flip Saunders and the Minnesota Timberwolves on a terrific hire with Milt Newton,” said USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director Jim Tooley. “Milt was a tremendously valuable member of USA Basketball’s staff for over four years in the mid 1990’s and he is truly a team player. He was a highly recruited high school player, played at the University of Kansas and was a valuable member of their famed 1988 NCAA Championship team. He also went on to play professionally. Milt has a wealth of basketball experience, but what makes him so special is that he’s a person of character. He’s the consummate professional, a class act and he will be an incredible asset to the Timberwolves.”

Jeremy Tyler has foot surgery, out 8-10 weeks

Jeremy Tyler

Still trying to prove his place in the NBA

Knicks power forward Jeremy Tyler underwent surgery to repair the fifth metatarsal on his right foot Thursday and is expected to be out 8-10 weeks, according to the Knicks.

Tyler signed a contract with the Knicks that is not fully guaranteed. This is significant because New York can waive Tyler without paying him a full season’s salary. It is unclear if the Knicks have guaranteed a portion of Tyler’s contract. If so, they would have to pay him that portion if they were to release him.

Tyler, 6-foot-10, had a strong showing with the team in summer league and made an impression on the Knicks’ coaches.

Reported by Ian Begley of ESPN New York