NBA News Blog – Page 973 – NBA Blog

Childress, Redd, Pietrus still need a job

Childress, Redd, Pietrus still in need of a contract

Small forward Josh Childress, who was handed an amnesty card as a means for Phoenix to slide Luis Scola (another amnesty baby) onto its payroll, continues waiting for work. According to recent reports, the Washington Wizards could be interested in J-Chill.

Also waiting for work is swingman Michael Redd, whose post-knee-surgery (two of ’em) resurrection had a decent run last season with the Suns. Redd was considered a potential target of the shooting-guard-seeking Chicago Bulls a few weeks ago, but nothing materialized. Other teams recently listed as interested in Redd: the Wizards, Grizzlies, Nuggets and Thunder.

Mickael Pietrus, who was jettisoned out of town just as the post-lockout season was preparing to launch, also remains unemployed. Pietrus, who played for the Boston Celtics last season, reportedly has been talking with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Having publicly committed to not playing under a league-minimum contract, Pietrus still may have to wait a while longer.

— Reported by Randy Hill of Fox Sports Arizona

Miami Heat may add Josh Harrellson

Former New York Knicks backup center Josh Harrellson is in the mix to be in the mix for the Miami Heat.

Dealt in the offseason to the Houston Rockets in the Marcus Camby sign-and-trade and later released, Harrellson auditioned for the Heat recently and is on the verge of doing so again.

Monday, on his Twitter account, Harrellson posted, “Kentucky it’s been fun! Glad I got to see everyone! Now heading to Miami for hopefully the next 9 months.”

Harrellson was drafted out of the University of Kentucky with the No. 45 pick of the 2011 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, with his draft rights then traded to the Knicks.

Harrellson later re-tweeted a reply to his Twitter account emphasizing the “hopefully” part of his original post.

— Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jrue Holiday reportedly seeking a max contract

Jrue Holiday will be asked to be a more vocal leader and take ownership of a squad that features eight new faces.

Holiday enters a critical fourth NBA season. He will play the 2012-13 campaign likely on the final year of his original four-year contract. The Sixers can sign him to an extension now, but given that Holiday is seeking a max contract, the more likely scenario is that he will become a restricted free agent next summer, which means the Sixers will have an opportunity to match any offer that comes Holiday’s way.

The 22-year-old point guard has started 198 games over the last three years, including every game the last two seasons. He averaged 13.5 points per game and 4.5 assists last season. Those statistics, when compared with those of other starting point guards in the Eastern Conference, are about middle of the road.

— Reported by Dei Lynam of CSN Philly

Taj Gibson throws out first pitch at White Sox game

Bulls power forward Taj Gibson took a night off from the hardwood and headed for the baseball diamond, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the White Sox-Twins game Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

For the 6-foot-9 Gibson, he was relieved to have thrown the pitch for an apparent strike on the pitch, tweeting, “I got it over the plate!!! Lol.”

Gibson isn’t the first Bull to take the mount this summer. Back in August, Jimmy Butler threw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field before the Cubs took on the Astros.f

— Reported by Mark Strotman of CSN Chicago

Houston Rockets arena to install huge HD video screens

After a summer of dramatic renovations left the Rockets’ roster nearly unrecognizable from the previous one, the remodeling high above the court at Toyota Center could prove even more stunning.

It seems certain to be more long-lasting.

For the start of the team’s 10th season in Toyota Center, which will include the return of All-Star Weekend to Houston, the Rockets will unveil widespread upgrades to the arena, including the move to high-definition video screens billed as the largest in any North American arena.

“We wanted to make sure we created a better experience,” Rockets CEO Tad Brown said. “We think this is going to put us on another level.”

The entire project — from upgraded Wi-Fi to a new control room to run the video screen and game presentation — will cost roughly $15 million.

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (Blog)

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute on track in recovery process

Mbah a Moute, who will turn 26 years old on Sept. 9, underwent surgery to repair his right patella tendon in May, following the 2011-’12 season.

“I feel good. The knee is getting better,” Mbah a Moute said. “I’m right on track to be back for the beginning of the season. I’m just excited to be healthy again.”

Mbah a Moute was a restricted free agent last year during the lockout and got a late start with the Bucks due to his contract situation, as Milwaukee matched a four-year, $19 million offer made by the Denver Nuggets. Then he immediately encountered problems with his knee, problems that continued throughout the season and limited him to 43 games (22 starts).

“At this point I’m not sure,” Mbah a Moute said of being ready on the opening day of training camp in early October. “My goal is to be ready for camp, but if not, make sure I’m ready. I don’t want to rush that.”

— Reported by Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on August 31

Dwyane Wade begins book tour

It won’t be difficult to play “Where’s Wade?” this week. Dwyane Wade is about to hit New York like a cyclone with the start of his book tour.

“A Father First: How my life became bigger than basketball” will be released Tuesday, which also is when the Miami Heat’s All-Star guard will storm Manhattan.

From Letterman to Calvin Klein, from ESPN to CNN, Wade is about to enter a whirlwind week that culminates with three South Florida book signings this coming weekend.

Two weeks after that, training camp will open.

For Wade, it starts Tuesday on ABC Radio, continues with two segments alongside Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar on “The View,” then a book signing on 5th Avenue, a mid-afternoon media session at the NBA Store, a late-afternoon taping of “The Late Show with David Letterman” and an ESPN fashion panel followed by an ESPN book party at Lincoln Center.

And that’s just Tuesday.

— Reported by Ira WInderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Dwight Howard expresses love for Orlando in newspaper ad

Dwight Howard is professing his love for the city of Orlando and its fans.

Howard purchased a full-page ad in today’s Orlando Sentinel to convey the message.

In that ad, which appears on Page C7, Howard said, “To play the game of basketball in the NBA is a blessing and to have had the opportunity to play before the Orlando fans for eight years was truly a privilege and an honor.”

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (And, link to Dwight’s ad)

Blake Ahearn expected to sign with Indiana Pacers

Former Utah Jazz reserve point guard Blake Ahearn is expected to sign a partially guaranteed contract with the Indiana Pacers, a league source informed The Salt Lake Tribune on Saturday.

Ahearn was signed by the Jazz via a 10-day contract last season. He remained on Utah’s roster throughout the playoffs and was a member of the Jazz’s Summer League team.

— Reported by Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune

Nets may want Andray Blatche

The Nets’ ongoing search for frontcourt depth has led them to Houston, and a meeting with Andray Blatche, who was cut this summer by the Washington Wizards.

Blatche, 26, has been working out in Houston with a number of other N.B.A. players, under the guidance of John Lucas. He was set to meet with Nets Coach Avery Johnson sometime this weekend, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. It was not clear whether the Nets were prepared to make Blatche an immediate offer or were simply exploring their options.

— Reported by Howard Beck of the New York Times (Blog)