The AP reports: Finally healthy after two seasons virtually lost to knee injuries, Gilbert Arenas had 29 points and nine assists as the Wizards took an early lead over the revamped Dallas Mavericks and never let go on their way to a 102-91 victory Tuesday night… Arenas shot 10 of 21 and made 8-of-9 free throws for more points than he had all of last season… The assists included several nifty passes that set up Brendan Haywood for dunks. He also helped set up reserves Andray Blatche for 20 points and Randy Foye for 19 in his first game with the Wizards. Caron Butler added 16 points, with injured forward Antawn Jamison watching from the bench. He’s likely to miss the first eight to 13 games because of a shoulder injury… But the Mavericks fell into the old habit of trying to ride a big night by Dirk Nowitzki. He scored 34 points, but was only 10 of 25. He was 12 of 13 from the foul line—all in the first half.
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Mavericks trade Nathan Jawai to Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has acquired 6-10 forward Nathan Jawai and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a conditional second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The pick is protected through the 55th draft position.
“Nathan is a young project who likely will add depth to our roster at his position,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operation. “We were contemplating this trade prior to Kevin Love’s hand injury, so this move is not intended to replace Kevin in the short term by any means. That would not be fair to Nathan. Rather, this move provided us an opportunity to work with a young player with size, and later determine if he could be a fit for us.”
Jawai, a native of Sydney, Australia, was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 41st overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, and was subsequently traded to Toronto as part of the deal that sent Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors. Jawai appeared in six games during his rookie season, playing a total of 19 minutes. He also appeared in 14 games for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA D-League, averaging 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 52.6 percent from the field.
Prior to entering the NBA Draft, Jawai played one season in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), where he averaged 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Cairns Taipans. Jawai was the 2007-08 NBL Rookie of the Year, the 2007 NBL All-Star Game MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honors.
NBA tells bench players stay seated so fans can see
Good NBA seats are expensive. Fans shelling out big money to sit near the court should expect a good view of the action.
But what about when players get off the bench and remain standing for a while? On the one hand, it’s nice to see guys cheer their teammates. On the other, these giants prevent fans from seeing what they paid to see.
The Cavs are one team with players who remained standing a lot, and now the league office has reportedly taken action.
Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:
The NBA has issued a memo to its teams directing players on the bench to remain seated during games. Game officials will be keeping a closer eye and will issue faster warnings and possible technical fouls if not followed. Players are permitted to cheer, but standing during regular-game action and blocking the fans’ views apparently isn’t going to be allowed.
That goes for Tuesday night’s first preseason game at The Q, where the Cavs will host the Charlotte Bobcats in the first of eight practice games before the season opener.
The Cavs weren’t exactly thrilled that their custom has been legislated.
“It is hard to take that out of the game,” LeBron James said. “Part of the game is emotions, your teammates are all you have. That was part of the reason we played great basketball, because we cheered each other.”
I support the league protecting the paying fan’s view.
Oct 5: Magic 110, Mavs 105
The AP reports: Vince Carter scored 21 points in his Orlando debut and Brandon Bass added seven of his 13 points in the final two minutes to lift the Magic to a 110-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the preseason opener for both teams on Monday night… Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points, including going 17-for-19 from the free-throw line. Drew Gooden, an offseason free-agent pickup by the Mavericks, added 18 points. Orlando’s Dwight Howard had 17 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out with 4:31 left in the third quarter. Rashard Lewis added 18 points for the Magic.
Mavericks practice jerseys and court have sponsor
The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed HDNet as a sponsor for the team’s practice jerseys. HDNet logo placement will also be on Mavericks coaching staff apparel worn at team practices.
HDNet is the ground-breaking independent network with unique and provocative content that appeals to men of all ages. HDNet delivers more hours per week of award-winning, original, true high definition programming than any other television network.
“The Mavs and HDNet have been long time partners and we are excited to expand our relationship,” said Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban.
As part of the agreement, the HDNet logo will be featured throughout the Mavericks practice court.
Co-founded by Mark Cuban and Phillip Garvin, HDNet operates two 24/7 all high-definition channels (HDNet and HDNet Movies). HDNet was launched on Sept. 6, 2001 and is now headquartered in Dallas and Denver. The networks are available in the U.S. and Canada via 12 different cable and satellite providers. HDNet, the reason HDTV was created.
Tim Thomas has right knee surgery
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Forward Tim Thomas will undergo arthroscopic surgery to his injured right knee the Dallas Mavericks announced today. Thomas injured his right knee while working out at his home in Southern California and is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday, Sept. 22 for a suspected cartilage injury.
The surgery will be performed in Dallas by team orthopedic surgeon T.O. Souryal. A timetable for Thomas’ return will be set after the surgery.
SEPTEMBER 22 UPDATE
The Dallas Mavericks announced that forward Tim Thomas underwent arthroscopic surgery today to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. Mavericks’ team physician Dr. T.O. Souryal performed the surgery at Texas Sports Medicine. A timetable for his return has not been set.
Mavericks re-sign James Singleton
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have re-signed forward James Singleton. Per team policy, terms of the deal were undisclosed. Several media outlets reported that the deal is a $1.03 million qualifying offer for next season.
“We are excited to bring James back into the fold for next season,” said President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Donnie Nelson. “His tireless work ethic and lockerroom presence were a large part of our success last year. We couldn’t be happier to keep James in the Mavericks family.”
Last season, Singleton (6-8, 230) played in 62 games (starting six times) for Dallas and averaged career-highs in points (5.1), rebounds (4.0) and minutes (14.3). He also shot a career-high 52.9% (117-221 FGs) from the field, 32.5% (13-40 3FGs) from 3-point range and 85.9% (67-78 FTs) from the line.
Originally signed by Dallas as a free agent on July 11, 2008, Singleton holds career averages of 3.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 11.6 minutes in 174 games (16 starts).
The Chicago native attended Murray State University after transferring from Pearl River Community College (Miss.).
In an additional transaction, the Mavericks requested waivers on veteran guard Greg Buckner. Dallas acquired Buckner in a four-team trade on July 9, 2009.
Buckner (6-4, 210) was originally a second-round draft choice of the Mavericks in 1998. The veteran guard has played two stints in Dallas and holds career averages of 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 570 games.
“We wish Buck nothing but the very best,” said Nelson. “Given our depth at that position, coupled with the number of guaranteed contracts, there is simply no room on our roster. This early release will also afford him the chance to secure an opportunity elsewhere.”
Rockets sign Pops Mensah-Bonsu
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu (MEN-sa BON-sue). Per team policy, financial terms were not released. We’ll post contract info tomorrow.
Mensah-Bonsu (6-9, 235, George Washington) has averaged 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 34 career games with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. In 2008-09, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 12.9 minutes in 22 total games with the Spurs and Raptors. Signed to a 10-day contract by San Antonio on Feb. 25, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 6.7 minutes over three contests with the Spurs. He was waived by San Antonio on Mar. 4 and was signed by Toronto for the remainder of the season on Mar. 6.
In 19 outings with the Raptors, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game. He set career highs for points (21), free throws made (11) and free throw attempts (13) with Toronto vs. Indiana (3/15/09). Mensah-Bonsu also averaged 26.6 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in eight games (eight starts) with the NBA D-League Austin Toros. He actually began the season with DKV Joventut in the Spanish League, averaging 18.5 points in two contests (one start).
He began his NBA career with Dallas in 2006-07, averaging 2.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 5.9 minutes in 12 games with the Mavericks. Mensah-Bonsu also averaged 15.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 30.7 minutes per game in 26 contests (21 starts) with the D-League Fort Worth Flyers in 2006-07. His play with the Flyers earned him selection to the Eastern Division All-Star Team, where he was named MVP of the 2007 D-League All-Star Game after posting 30 points (11-13 FG) and seven rebounds. A native of London, England, Mensah-Bonsu has also played overseas with Benetton Treviso and CB Granada.
Mensah-Bonsu finished his four-year collegiate career with averages of 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 112 games at George Washington University. He averaged 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds as a senior, pacing the Colonials in field goal percentage (.564) and blocks (38). Mensah-Bonsu was named to the NABC All-District 4 First Team and to Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team in his final campaign at George Washington.
Former Dirk Nowitzki girlfriend gets 5 years in prison
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports: Cristal Taylor, the former fiancée of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for violating probation in a decade-old forgery and theft case. The sentence virtually ensures that Taylor, 38, will still be incarcerated when Nowitzki and the Mavericks open the regular season in late October. What was not made clear Monday is whether Taylor is carrying Nowitzki’s child, an assertion she and her attorneys had held since late May. If the tall, still-slender Taylor is pregnant, it wasn’t plainly evident as she stood before Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider’s bench in loose-fitting orange prison garb.
Timberwolves sign Ryan Hollins to offer sheet
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The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed restricted free-agent center Ryan Hollins to an offer sheet. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Dallas Mavericks will have seven days upon receiving the offer sheet to match Minnesota’s offer. Several media outlets report that the deal may be for three years and a total of $7 million.
“We are excited about the opportunity to have Ryan Hollins on our team,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “He is a lengthy, athletic center, with a lot of upside, who should complement Al and Kevin really well. We’ve had our eye on him the past several weeks and we are optimistic we can acquire him through this process.”
Hollins, a 7-0 center from UCLA, was originally selected with the 50th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. He spent two-plus seasons with Charlotte before being traded to Dallas on Jan. 16, 2009. In 132 career games with the Bobcats and Mavericks, Hollins has averaged 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field. He also appeared in nine playoff games for the Mavericks this spring, grabbing 24 total rebounds while shooting 57.1 percent from the field as Dallas advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals.