Charlotte Hornets Blog – Page 62 – NBA Blog

Jazz sign Raja Bell

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed guard Raja Bell to a multi-year free agent contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“Raja has proven to be an excellent three-point shooter over a number of years and is a good defender who brings a toughness on the perimeter,” said Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. “He knows Coach Sloan’s system and what he expects of him. Raja had a lot of choices and we’re happy he chose the Jazz.”

Bell (6-5, 215, Florida International) owns career averages of 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 604 career games (383 starts) over 10 NBA seasons with Philadelphia, Dallas, Utah, Phoenix, Charlotte and Golden State since entering the league on a 10-day contract in April 2001. Bell has also appeared in 68 career playoff games (40 starts), averaging 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.9 minutes with Philadelphia, Dallas and Phoenix.

Twice named to the NBA All-Defensive Team (First Team in 2006-07 and Second Team in 2007-08), Bell will enter the 2010-11 season ranked 11th in NBA history in career three-point field goal percentage (.411), minimum 250 made, and is fifth on that list among active players. Bell has shot at least .400 from beyond the arc in each of the last six seasons, hitting 100+ three-pointers in five of the last six campaigns.

In two seasons during his first stint with the Jazz (2003-05), Bell appeared in 145 games (36 starts) and averaged 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26.3 minutes. He currently ranks fifth in Jazz history in three-point accuracy (.387, minimum 50 made).

Bell’s best statistical season came in 2005-06 with Phoenix, when Bell appeared in 79 games (all starts) and registered career-high averages of 14.7 points and 2.6 assists to go with 3.2 rebounds in a career-high 37.4 minutes per game.

In 2009-10, Bell appeared in six games with Charlotte and Golden State before missing the remainder of the season following left wrist surgery. Bell saw action in five games for Charlotte (all starts) before being traded to Golden State on November 16, 2009, playing one game for the Warriors prior to the season-ending surgery. Bell averaged a combined 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.0 minutes between the two teams.

A native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Bell was undrafted out of Florida International in 1999 and played in the USBL, CBA and IBL before the Philadelphia 76ers signed him to a 10-day contract on April 6, 2001.

Bobcats trade Tyson Chandler to Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired centers Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca (pronounced ah-lek-SEE ah-Gin-sa) from the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for center Erick Dampier, forward Eduardo Najera, guard Matt Carroll and cash considerations.

Chandler (7-1, 235) is an nine-year veteran who holds career averages of 8.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 27.6 minutes in 588 games (391 starts). Chandler entered the 2001 NBA Draft out of Dominquez High School (Compton, Calif.) and was the second overall pick. He has played for Chicago, New Orleans and Charlotte.

Last season with the Bobcats, Chandler played in 51 games (starting 27) and averaged 6.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks despite being hampered by a stress reaction in his left foot that caused him to miss 29 games. Prior to that, Chandler was a member of the New Orleans Hornets where he enjoyed the best season of his career in 2007-08 when he averaged a career-high 11.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 assists in a career-high 35.2 minutes while shooting .623 from the floor in 79 starts. During the 2008 postseason, Chandler led the Hornets past Dallas into the Western Conference semi-finals averaging 10.3 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Ajinca (7-0, 220) was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats as the 20th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The two-year pro has averages of 2.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.2 blocks in 5.7 minutes in 37 career games. He has made two separate D-League stints with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (2008-09) and Maine Red Claws (2009-10) playing in 33 games and averaging 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 steals in 24.9 minutes, while shooting .523 from the field (161-308 FGs) and .760 from the free-throw line (130-171 FTs). He was named to the 2010 D-League Eastern Conference All-Star Team but was unable to play due to injury.

The Saint Etienne, France native played two years professionally with Hyeres-Toulon in the French Pro A League before declaring for the NBA Draft. With Hyeres-Toulon, he averaged 4.7 points while shooting .538 from the field (42-80 FGs), 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 block in 26 games. He won the bronze medal with the French National Team at the 2007 Under-19 World Championship.

Dallas parts ways with Dampier after aquiring him via a sign-and-trade with Golden State on August 24, 2004. Dampier was the third-longest tenured Maverick behind Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry and played 424 games in Dallas. Among franchise leaders, Dampier ranks seventh in rebounds (3,211), fourth in offensive rebounds (1,224), seventh in defensive rebounds (1,715), first in field goal percentage (.591) and fourth in blocks (546). Najera was in his second stint with the Mavericks after being drafted by Dallas in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft (38th overall), while Carroll just finished his first full season as a Maverick after being acquired from Charlotte on January 16, 2009.

Bobcats re-sign Tyrus Thomas

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has re-signed restricted free agent forward Tyrus Thomas to a multi-year deal. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. We’ll post contract details later today.

“Re-signing Tyrus was one of our top offseason priorities,” Higgins said. “In his short time with us last season, we saw the contributions he could make to our team and we are confident he will continue to improve and play an important role for us moving forward.”

The Bobcats acquired Thomas from Chicago on February 18, 2010, in exchange for Acie Law, Ronald “Flip” Murray and a future first-round draft pick. In 25 games with the Bobcats, Thomas averaged 10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while scoring in double figures 14 times. In four playoff games against Orlando, Thomas averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 17.0 minutes, including a 21-point, nine-rebound performance in Game Four.

The fourth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, the 6-10 Thomas has appeared in 279 career NBA games with averages of 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. In 21 career playoff games, Thomas has averaged 7.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Thomas last month received the Jefferson Award as the Outstanding Athlete as a Newcomer in Service and Philanthropy for the work of his non-profit organization, Tyrus Thomas Inc., which focuses on youth outreach, community development and organizational support in cities including his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Charlotte Bobcats, who became the NBA’s 30th team when they joined the league in 2004-05, finished the 2009-10 season with a franchise-best 44-38 overall record (31-10 at home) and first-ever playoff appearance.

Knicks sign Raymond Felton

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that the team has signed guard Raymond Felton as a free agent. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed. We’ll add contract details later today.

“Raymond is a top point guard and someone we targeted during the free agency period,” Walsh said. “He is an all-around player, excelling on both sides of the court and a true professional.”

Felton, 6-1, 198-pounds, has career averages of 13.3 points, 6.4 assists, 1.42 steals and 34.9 minutes in 399 career games (369 starts) in five NBA seasons with the Charlotte Bobcats. The Marion, SC-native was drafted by Charlotte, following his junior season at the University of North Carolina, with the fifth overall selection in the 2005 NBA Draft and has played in at least 78 games in all five NBA seasons. In 2009-10, Felton averaged 12.1 points, 5.6 assists (19th in the NBA), 1.54 steals (15th) and 33.0 minutes in 80 games (80 starts) in leading Charlotte to their first playoff appearance in franchise history.

“Donnie deserves a tremendous amount of credit for all the long hours he has put towards re-shaping our roster and signing Raymond gives us a good veteran point guard who should be a great fit for us,” Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I think our system will highlight his numerous skills and that he will give us leadership and toughness at one of the most important positions on the floor.”

Felton had a standout career at North Carolina and became the first player in the Tar Heels’ storied history to record 1,000 points, 600 assists, 300 rebounds, 150 steals and 100 three-point field goals. He quarterbacked North Carolina to the 2005 NCAA title and was named to the all-tournament team. He also set North Carolina’s single-game records for assists (18) and three-point field goals made (eight) while on campus in Chapel Hill.

Bobcats make qualifying offer to Tyrus Thomas

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has made a qualifying offer to forward Tyrus Thomas, making him a restricted free agent. The qualifying offer allows the Bobcats to match any offer he receives from another team.

The Bobcats acquired Thomas from Chicago on February 18, 2010, in exchange for Acie Law, Ronald “Flip” Murray and a future first-round draft pick. In 25 games with the Bobcats, Thomas averaged 10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while scoring in double figures 14 times. The fourth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Thomas has appeared in 279 career NBA games with averages of 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Thomas on Monday received the Jefferson Award as the Outstanding Athlete as a Newcomer in Service and Philanthropy for the work of his non-profit organization, Tyrus Thomas Inc., which focuses on youth outreach, community development and organizational support in cities including his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Hornets push back ownership change announcement

The AP reports:

The New Orleans Hornets say a formal announcement of a change of ownership will not happen until next week at the earliest.

Team spokesman Harold Kaufman says the schedules of top team officials has been complicated by an ongoing search for a new head coach.

NBA fines Dwight Howard for blog comments about officiating

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been fined $35,000 for public criticism of the officiating that appeared on his personal blog, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Howard’s comments appeared on his blog on April 27.

On his blog, Howard wrote: “Ya’ll know that that series against Charlotte drove me crazy. I mean it was almost comical at times how I was getting fouls called on me. There was nothing I could do our there and I felt like I couldn’t even move without getting that whistle blown on me. I’m not looking to say anything to get myself in trouble with the league, but I just don’t see other star players getting called for fouls the way I get them. No star player in the league is outta games the way I am. I even talked to Pat Ewing about his career and he said he never had foul trouble like what I’m going through.”

Game 4: Magic beat Bobcats 99-90 to complete sweep

The Magic were expected to send the Bobcats home in four or five games, and they did just that.

The AP reports:

Magic beat Bobcats 99-90 to complete sweep

Vince Carter scored 21 points, Jameer Nelson added 18 and the Magic showcased their depth and pressure shot-making in a 99-90 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night to complete a sweep of their first-round series.

Dwight Howard was held to six points in his fourth straight game in foul trouble, but the Magic never flinched to accomplish their first four-game sweep in franchise history.

Tyrus Thomas scored a career playoff-high 21 points for the Bobcats, whose focus will now almost immediately turn to nomadic coach Larry Brown’s future with the team.

Howard did grab 13 rebounds, but was limited to 23 minutes before fouling out for the second straight game…

Rashard Lewis scored 17 points, Matt Barnes added 14 and Orlando held Stephen Jackson to 2-of-11 shooting to make sure Charlotte would be the only team not to win a first-round game.

Despite quiet Howard, Carter production, Magic controlling Bobcats

Richard Walker of the Gaston Gazette reports:

You hear the Charlotte Bobcats trail the Orlando Magic three games to none in their Eastern Conference best-of-seven first-round playoff series and you figure perennial All-Stars Dwight Howard and Vince Carter have been unstoppable.

Well, not at all.

Despite quiet Howard, Carter production, Magic controlling Bobcats

While Howard and Carter have struggled mightily, particularly on offense, but a solid Orlando defensive effort and sharpshooting from point guard Jameer Nelson and forward Rashard Lewis are the biggest reasons the Magic is one win away from eliminating Charlotte.

Certainly, Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton is surprised by the turn of events. When asked after Saturday’s 90-86 home loss if he thought the Bobcats would be down three games to none with Howard and Carter doing so poorly, Felton offered:

“I’d say no way. But they’ve had other guys step up.”

Game 3: Nelson, Magic beat Bobcats 90-86

The Charlotte Bobcats have heart, but they’re in big trouble!

The AP reports:

No Dwight Howard, no problem for the Magic, who got 32 points from sudden star Jameer Nelson to overcome another frustrating, foul-filled game by their big man in a 90-86 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday.

Spoiling Charlotte’s return to the playoff stage after an eight-year absence, the Magic took a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round series despite being without Howard for the final 3:32 after he fouled out…

For the third straight game and two days after Orlando was assessed $70,000 in fines for complaining about the officiating, Howard played about half the game, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks…

Stephen Jackson scored 19 points, but was 6 of 18 from the field and missed a key 3-pointer in the final minute for the cold-shooting Bobcats, who face the prospect of a first-round sweep in their first playoff appearance…

Gerald Wallace added 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting for Charlotte. Raymond Felton also scored 13, but shot 5 of 14 and again couldn’t contain Nelson.