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Celtics sign Darius Miles

Jeff says: Miles has always been a question mark. Early on he was just an athletic dunker who didn’t really know how to play basketball. But as his career progressed, he kept showing stretches of occasional brilliance. He was still raw and not yet developed, yet for 10 or 15 minutes here and there Miles seemed like a future star, if he could just learn how to play. Only that never really happened, because he got hurt, badly, over and over. And fell out of shape. And even when he was playing well, there was never a sense that he ever really loved basketball. But now he’s apparently back, in shape, and ready to contribute. I think the Celtics are making the right move, taking a low-risk chance on him with potential decent reward. And, here’s the news release:

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent forward Darius Miles. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Miles, a 6’9”, 235lbs forward out of East St. Louis High School has posted career averages of 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.15 blocks in 412 career games. Miles was originally drafted with the third overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. Miles last played for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2005-06 season when he averaged a career high 14.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in 40 games. Miles missed all of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons due to microfracture surgery on his right knee.

“Darius has been in twice for workouts with us and has impressed us with his progress, health, and attitude;” said Danny Ainge, Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations/General Manager. “Darius will have the next couple of months to prove to myself and Coach Rivers that he can help us win.”

The Bellville, Illinois native became the first player in NBA history to receive All-Rookie honors straight out of high school when he averaged 9.4 points and 1.54 blocks for the Clippers in the 2000-01 season. Miles scored in double-figures in 31 of the 40 games that he appeared in during his last NBA season in 2005-06. As a starter in 23 of those 40 games he averaged 16.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

“I’ve watched the Boston Celtics play a lot last year and loved what I saw in their teamwork and chemistry on the court and it’s the team that I want to try to resume my career with.” said Miles. “I am excited about having an opportunity to play on a team that I feel my personality fits with and a team that can have great success on the court.”

Web viewing of NBA games may soon exist

The Oklahoman (Mel Bracht) reports: Say you’re working late and can’t make it to the Ford Center to watch Oklahoma City’s new NBA team play its game that night. Instead, you log on to your computer and watch streaming video of the team’s game broadcast. Sound far-fetched? Not if the NBA has its way. The league is aggresively promoting three new Internet elements — video streaming in home markets, interactive TV and video-on-demand — for the upcoming season. Ed Desser, a media consultant for Oklahoma City’s team, said many details have yet to be worked out, and didn’t expect the team to offer the Internet elements anytime soon.

Clippers sign Paul Davis

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent center Paul Davis, according to Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Paul Davis joins Baron Davis and Ricky Davis on the Clippers’ roster to bring the “Davis” count to an NBA tying three. Many teams’ rosters have had as many as three players with the same surname throughout league history, but none with four. The most recent example? The ’05-’06 Toronto Raptors, with Aaron, Alvin and Eric Williams.

Paul Davis was drafted by the Clippers with the 34th overall selection in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft and appeared in a total of 53 games for Los Angeles over the last two seasons. The Clippers had previously renounced his rights on July 16.

Paul Davis, 24, averaged 2.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 8.8 minutes in 22 games last season before having his season cut short by a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn lateral meniscus suffered in his right knee on Dec. 21, 2007.

A former stand-out at Michigan State University, the 6-foot-11 center has career averages of 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.1 minutes.

The Clippers new-look roster now stands at 15 players as Los Angeles has revamped its roster by adding a total of 10 new faces for the 2008-09 season.

Lakers sign Josh Powell

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent Josh Powell, it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Powell, a three-year NBA veteran, spent last season with the Los Angeles Clippers where he averaged 5.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 64 games. After going undrafted in 2003, the 6-9 forward spent two seasons overseas where he played in both the Italian and Russian basketball leagues. Prior to the 2005-06 season, Powell was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Mavericks where he averaged 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 37 games. The North Carolina State alum was traded to the Indiana Pacers in July of 2006 and played in seven games before being acquired by the Golden State Warriors in a midseason trade. Powell finished the 2006-07 season with averages of 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 37 games.

Powell has career averages of 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 138 games with Dallas, Indiana, Golden State and the Clippers.

Dan Dickau signs in Italy

“It will be a great experience, both living-wise and basketball-wise,” Dickau told The Columbian newspaper.

“The free agency was kind of slow,” said Dickau to The Columbian. “We kept looking at the NBA, and nothing was coming forward. So I said, ‘Let’s look at all our options and decide what’s best.’ ” … “This doesn’t close my NBA career by any stretch,” Dickau said. “I just felt that right now, this was the best thing for me.”

Euroleague.net reports: Avellino signed veteran point guard Dan Dickau to be its starting playmaker, the club announced Tuesday. Dickau (183, 29) will make his Euroleague debut with Avellino, which is also playing in Europe’s top club competition for the first time. He arrives from the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA, where he averaged 5.3 points and 2.6 assists in 67 games last season.

Melo not happy Nuggets gave Camby away

Carmelo Anthony finally had some comments on the Nuggets trading Marcus Camby, the team’s center and key rebounder, shot-blocker and defender, away to the Clippers for nothing more than salary cap flexibility. He isn’t too pleased.

The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports: “Yeah, it was really disappointing,” Carmelo Anthony said at the Olympics in Beijing. “But I don’t really have no comment on the Nuggets right now. I’m here in Beijing.” … “I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Anthony said of the Nuggets having left him in the dark.

Clippers sign Jason Williams

The Clippers have had an interesting summer. Elton Brand and Corey Maggette are gone. They signed Baron Davis, got Marcus Camby basically for free in a trade, and added Eric Gordon in the Draft. But with Davis, Jason Hart and Mike Taylor, it seemed the point guard spot was filled, but apparently not, as Davis now has a terrific backup in former Heat PG Jason Williams. The Los Angeles Times reports that the deal is just for one year. Though J-Will has looked pretty washed up recently, maybe he has something left. He certainly should be decent in limited minutes, like 3 per quarter or so. So Taylor may be gone.

Here’s the news:

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent guard Jason Williams, according to Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

A veteran of 10 NBA seasons, Williams joins the Clippers after playing the last three years for Miami, where he helped the Heat to the 2006 NBA Championship. Williams, 32, has played in 679 career regular season games and averaged 11.4 points, 6.3 assists and 2.4 rebounds for a total of three teams. The six-foot-one, 180 pound point guard has also started and played in 53 career playoff contests, averaging 9.8 points, 3.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 0.9 steals.

“Jason is an experienced and proven player,” Baylor said. “He is a terrific ball handler with great passing ability and court vision.”

Playing alongside new Clippers teammate Ricky Davis with the Heat last season, Williams averaged 8.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 28.1 minutes while appearing in 67 games. The West Virginia native finished eighth in the league with a 3.37 assists per turnover ratio and 12th with a 0.91 steals per turnover ratio.

“We are excited to add Jason to our squad,” Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy said. “He brings added veteran leadership and playoff experience to our backcourt.”

Drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 1998 following his junior year at the University of Florida, Williams was named to the 1999 NBA All-Rookie Team following an electrifying first season that saw him average 12.8 points and 6.0 assists. Over the next nine seasons, Williams has emerged as one of the most dependable point guards in the NBA, averaging double-figures in scoring and at least five assists per game in eight of his ten years in the league.

Williams moved to Memphis for the 2001-02 season and over the next four seasons became the Grizzlies all-time assists leader and all-time leader in three-point field goals attempted. Williams joined Miami prior to the 2005-06 season that ended with an NBA Championship.

The Clippers new-look roster now stands at 14 players as Los Angeles has revamped its roster by adding a total of 10 new faces for the 2008-09 season.

Rockets trade Steve Novak to Clippers

Steve Novak is a tall guy who shoots really well from outside. I’m not too sure what else he’s good at yet, but the kid is a real gunner. Also, he’s tall, if I didn’t mention that yet. A tall guy. Who shoots. That’s my in-depth scouting report on him. Anyway, Tracy McGrady seemed to like him, as did the Rockets, but the Clippers wanted his services, and now their dreams have come true. Here’s the Steve Novak trade news:

The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired forward Steve Novak from the Houston Rockets, Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor announced. In return, Houston will have the option to exchange second round picks with the Clippers in 2011.

The two-year NBA sharpshooter averaged 3.9 points while connecting on 34-71 three-pointers (.479) and 49-102 FG (.480) in 35 games played for the Rockets last season. Over the final five games of the 2007-08 campaign, Novak connected on 15-25 (.600) three-pointers en route to averaging 9.8 points per game during that stretch.

“Steve is a terrific perimeter shooter who will definitely help open the floor and create more opportunities for our post players,” stated Baylor. “We are happy to bring him to Los Angeles.”

Over his career, Novak has averaged 2.7 points and 6.5 minutes per game, while connecting on 67-152 FG (.441) and 47-110 3FG (.427). Novak also spent nine games last season with the Rio Grande Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA D-League affiliate, where he tallied 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

“We are pleased to add Steve to our roster,” said head coach Mike Dunleavy. “He is an excellent shooter who will help us space the floor and keep defenses honest.”

Originally drafted in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Novak enjoyed a record-setting four-year collegiate career at Marquette. Novak established new school records for career three-pointers made (354) and career free throw percentage (.931) while finishing 10th on the all-time Marquette list for career points (1,567). He also became the sixth player in school history to reach career marks of 1,500 points and 500 rebounds (524).

The Clippers new-look roster now stands at 13 players as Los Angeles has revamped its roster by adding a total of nine new faces for the 2008-09 season.

OJ Mayo wins InsideHoops fan poll

An InsideHoops.com fan poll asked, other than Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and Greg Oden, which rookie will rock in 2008-09. Blowing away the competition was Grizzlies rookie OJ Mayo, receiving 44% of the votes. Over 2,700 fans participated in the poll.

We left Rose, Beasley and Oden out of the poll because they’ve received massive amounts of attention for a while now. Admittedly, Mayo has as well, but for the past year Rose and Beasley have been mentioned as the top picks, while Mayo was considered “in the lottery” but not a lock to go quite as high.

Finishing second in the poll with 17% of the votes was Trail Blazers rookie Jerryd Bayless, whose popularity rose after playing very well in summer league.

Third was Kevin Love at 13%. Anthony Randolph, Eric Gordon and Russell Westbrook also got nice support.

Clippers withdraw qualifying offer to Nick Fazekas

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that the team and forward Nick Fazekas have agreed to the withdrawal of the teams qualifying offer dated June 25, making Fazekas an unrestricted free agent.

Signed by the Clippers as a free agent on March 18, Fazekas appeared in 26 games last season for Los Angeles, averaging 4.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 10.3 minutes.

The Clippers roster now stands at 12 players after the most recent signing of forward Brian Skinner on July 31, as Los Angeles has revamped its roster by adding a total of eight new players for the 2008-09 season.