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Brad Ames of Priority Sports informs InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that the following players will be in the following training camps:
Eddie Gill: New Jersey
Trey Johnson: Phoenix
Ronald Dupree: Cleveland
Frank Robinson: Atlanta
Linton Johnson: Washington
Antywane Robinson: Philadelphia
Jared Reiner: Philadelphia.
Britton Johnsen: Utah
Matt Freije: Milwaukee
Luke Jackson: Portland
Rob Kurz: Golden State
Chris Alexander: Oklahoma City
Darryl Watkins: San Antonio
The Golden State Warriors have waived center Kosta Perović, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.
Perović, 23, was selected by the Warriors in the second round (#38 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft. In seven games with Golden State this season, he averaged 1.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 5.4 minutes per contest. Additionally, the 7-2 center appeared in 21 games with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, averaging 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.55 blocks in 23.3 minutes.
Golden State now has 17 players under contract.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Perovic wanted to be waived so he could sign overseas and get real minutes. He and the Warriors still like each other.
The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent guard DeMarcus Nelson, free agent guard/forward Dion Dowell and free agent forward Rob Kurz to contracts, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not announced.
InsideHoops.com says: It’s quite likely that all three are just going to be around for training camp, then cut.
All three players went undrafted in the 2008 NBA Draft and participated on the Warriors Summer League team at the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City.
Nelson, 22, played four seasons at Duke, becoming one of only six players in school history to record over 1,300 points, 600 rebounds, 200 assists and 125 steals in a career. As a senior, the 6-4 guard was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, while also being chosen to the All-ACC First Team after averaging 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.56 steals per contest. In nine games with Golden State’s Summer League team in July, Nelson averaged 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 19.0 minutes per game. In four games at the Rocky Mountain Revue, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.25 steals in 27.8 minutes.
A Bay Area native, Nelson was born in Oakland and grew up in Vallejo, where he played his first three high school seasons at Vallejo High School before transferring to Sheldon High School in Sacramento for his senior season. Following his senior season at Sheldon, in which he averaged over 30 points per game, Nelson was named Mr. Basketball in the State of California and received second team Parade All-America honors. He holds the California state high school record for scoring with 3,462 career points.
Dowell, 23, spent his final two collegiate seasons at the University of Houston after spending two years at the University of Texas. As a senior at Houston, the 6-7 swingman averaged 10.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.6% (120-282 FG) from the field and a team-leading 40.8% (73-179 3FG) from three-point range. In eight games on the Warriors Summer League squad, Dowell averaged 4.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16.9 minutes.
Kurz, 23, played four seasons at Notre Dame, where he averaged 12.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 33 games as a senior. Additionally, the 6-9 forward also averaged a team-high 1.45 blocks per contest. In nine games with the Warriors Summer League team, he averaged 7.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.11 blocks in 16.4 minutes per contest, while shooting 54.2% (26-48 FG) from the field. In four games at the Rocky Mountain Revue, Kurz averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.25 blocks in 24.5 minutes, while shooting 62.5% (20-32 FG) from the field.
Nelson will wear uniform #20, Dowell #11 and Kurz #31.
With the signings, Golden State now has 18 players under contract.
Monta Ellis couldn’t handle the truth. Or, to be more accurate, he reportedly couldn’t handle telling the Warriors the truth about how he hurt his ankle. I’m assuming he did it while doing something that his contract forbids. That’s the only logical reason to not be honest about it. Here’s the Contra Costa Times (Marcus Thompson II):
The Contra Costa Times has learned that Ellis has admitted to the Warriors that he wasn’t truthful about how he hurt his ankle, and the two sides are in talks about how to put the situation behind them. According to a team source, the Warriors now know that Ellis’ ankle injury _ which was repaired during surgery on Aug. 27 _ was not sustained “in a gym,” and “it happened out doors and not while playing basketball.” The source did not reveal what Ellis told Warriors management he was doing when he got hurt, only that he “was scared to tell the truth at first,” but eventually did.
If he did violate his contract, Golden State could terminate it, but unless he suddenly turns out to be totally insane, it’s highly unlikely. Chances are, Ellis will say he’s sorry, the Warriors will fine him, and that’ll pretty much be the end of it.
Discuss this with other fans here.
–Jeff
Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis, who suffered a Grade 3 high ankle sprain, a torn deltoid ligament and a syndesmosis disruption of his left ankle last Thursday, underwent successful surgery today to repair the ligament and will be sidelined a minimum of three-plus months, it was announced today. Ellis informed the team that he suffered the injury while working out in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Angus McBryde of the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama.
Ellis, 22, is expected to have the ankle immobilized for approximately six (6) weeks and spend approximately the following six (6) weeks undergoing off-court rehabilitation. Based on his progress, the 6’3” guard will be cleared to begin on-court rehabilitation after the successful conclusion of the first two steps in the process. A potential return date (to play) cannot be estimated until the initial 12-week period is completed.
A three-year NBA veteran, Ellis averaged a career-high 20.2 points (25th in NBA) and shot .531 from the floor (14th in NBA) last season.
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.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Euroleague Basketball have announced that three Euroleague teams will compete in five NBA preseason games from October 10-21, 2008. The five games, which are part of the Euroleague American Tour, will be played by 2008 Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow (Russia), FC Barcelona (Spain) and Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania). The teams may face up to five NBA opponents including the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic, the Toronto Raptors and possibly the Los Angeles Clippers.
“These games continue our collaboration with Euroleague Basketball, as we work together to grow the game of basketball on a global basis,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern.
The Euroleague American Tour continues a tradition of friendly competition between the NBA and Euroleague Basketball, dating back to 1978 when Maccabi Tel Aviv played the Washington Bullets in Tel Aviv, Israel. Following the 2008 preseason schedule, 33 games will have been played between the two leagues since Euroleague Basketball was created in 2000, including 13 games during NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™ in 2006 and 2007.
“We value the chance to partner with NBA teams in their own arenas,” Euroleague Basketball CEO Jordi Bertomeu said. “There are basketball fans of all types in North America whom we plan to entertain with our own distinct playing style. We are sure they will appreciate again that the international game has a lot to offer our sport.”
The Euroleague American Tour tips off on Oct. 10 in Orlando, Florida, when six-time Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow makes its North American debut against the Orlando Magic. CSKA’s second preseason game will take place in Toronto, Canada, when CSKA plays the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 14.
FC Barcelona play two games as part of the Preseason Shootout at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The 2008 NBA Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers will be Barcelona’s first opponent on Oct. 18, followed by the either Los Angeles Clippers or Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19. For Barcelona, founded in 1926, the games in Los Angeles will be their first played in the United States.
ORACLE Arena in Oakland, Calif. will be the final site of the Euroleague’s American Tour when the Golden State Warriors hosts Lietuvos Rytas on Oct. 21. Rytas is the 2005 ULEB Cup champion and hold five Lithuanian League crowns.
For the third consecutive year, NBA teams will participate in preseason games abroad. The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards will play four games in Barcelona, Berlin, London and Paris as part of NBA Europe Live 2008.
The Oklahoman (Mike Baldwin) reports on a team’s 82-game regular season schedule: “Four games against division opponents. Four games against six out-of-division conference opponents. Three games against the remaining four conference teams. Two games against teams in the opposing conference. A five-year rotation determines which out-of-division conference teams are played only three times.”
The Golden State Warriors have re-signed guard Monta Ellis to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Monta under contract for the next several years,” said Mullin. “He has been one of the top young players in the NBA for the last two years and enjoyed a tremendous season last year. The growth that he has demonstrated at such a young age is incredible and we look forward to him playing a big part in our future success.”
Ellis, 22, averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.53 steals in 37.9 minutes in 81 games last season. He ranked 14th in the NBA in field goal percentage (.531, 3rd among all guards), 15th in steals and 25th in scoring. He became only the ninth guard in NBA history to shoot 60% from the floor for an entire month in February (.602). The 6’3” Ellis scored a career-high 39 points on January 24 vs. New Jersey and scored 30-plus points on 12 occasions overall.
Originally selected (out of high school) in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft by Golden State (#40 overall), Ellis was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player following the 2006-07 campaign, when his scoring average increased by nearly 10 points per game from the previous season (6.8 to 16.5). The Jackson, Mississippi native has averaged 15.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists overall in 207 NBA games during his three-year career. Additionally, his field goal percentage has increased by nearly 6% in each of his three campaigns (.415, .475, 531).
The Golden State Warriors have matched the contract offer submitted to restricted free agent guard Kelenna Azubuike by the Los Angeles Clippers, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin. The Warriors had seven (7) days from receipt of the contract – Friday, July 18 – to match the offer from Los Angeles. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. Various reports have said it’s likely a three-year deal for around $3 million per season, but that’s not official in any way.
“We are pleased to have Kelenna back in the fold,” said Mullin. “He’s a young and talented player who has continued to improve during his two seasons with our team. His versatility, athleticism and ability to shoot the 3-pointer certainly fit our style of play. Additionally, we think he will continue to improve and expand his game.”
Azubuike, 24, appeared in 81 games with Golden State last season, averaging career-high figures in scoring (8.1), rebounds (4.0) and minutes played (21.4). The 6’5” guard scored a career-high 33 points on November 2 against the Clippers, one of 34 double figure scoring outings. In 17 starting assignments, he averaged 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds.
The Warriors originally signed Azubuike on January 2, 2007 from the NBA Development League’s Ft. Worth Flyers. He appeared in 41 games during his rookie campaign, averaging 7.1 points and 2.3 rebounds. Overall, he has averaged 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 122 career NBA games. The London, England native was never drafted by an NBA team after attending the University of Kentucky for three years (2002-03 – 2004-05).