Milwaukee Bucks Blog – Page 54 – NBA Blog

Bucks sign second-round pick Darington Hobson

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Darington Hobson to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Hobson (6-7, 210) was the 37th overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft.

A junior selected out of New Mexico, Hobson averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists over three college seasons, the first two at Eastern Utah. During the 2009-10 season, Hobson averaged career-highs in rebounds (9.3) and assists (4.6) while scoring 15.9 points and shooting a career-best 36.1 percent from three-point range (39-108).

Hobson was the Mountain West Conference’s Newcomer of the Year and Player of the Year in his only season at New Mexico. He was also named Third Team All-America by the Associated press. He was the only player in New Mexico’s history to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists in the same season and joined Ohio State’s Evan Turner as the only Division I players to average more than 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Earl Boykins discusses Bucks role

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Earl Boykins discusses his role on Bucks

“My role is to be ready when I’m needed,” Boykins said. “I’ve had this role my entire NBA career so it’s nothing new. Throughout the course of the year, everybody is going to have an opportunity to play and produce and help the team win. It’s how you approach it.

“If you remain professional, when your opportunity comes, you’ll take advantage of it.”

Boykins has encountered plenty of doubters due to his size, but he never was one of them.

“When I think back, 12 years in the NBA is very humbling,” he said. “I’ve been blessed with a unique skill to play the game of basketball.

“It’s hard to explain, but even at this level, the game has never been hard for me.”

Boykins said his height actually is “a huge advantage.”

“Everyone who plays against me, they have to make an adjustment,” he said. “When you’re 5-5, you don’t change the way you play. Most guys either don’t know how to do it (adjust) or they just don’t want to do it.”

Bucks sign Earl Boykins

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Earl Boykins (5-5, 133) to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Boykins played 35 games for Milwaukee during the 2006-07 campaign after a mid-season trade with the Denver Nuggets. He enjoyed his best statistical season in 2006-07 when he combined to average 14.6 points, 4.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds over 66 games with the two teams.

Last season, Boykins played in 67 games (one start) for the Washington Wizards and averaged 6.6 points, 2.6 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 16.7 minutes.

Not drafted out of Eastern Michigan in 1998, Boykins began his NBA career with the New Jersey Nets in the 1998-99 season. He has also played with Cleveland (1999, 2000), Orlando (1999-2000), Los Angeles Clippers (2000-02), Golden State (2002-03), Denver (2003-07) and Charlotte (2007-08). In 2008-09, Boykins played 14 games for La Fortezza Bologna in Italy and averaged 14.4 points, 5.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes per game.

Boykins, 34, has played in 587 career NBA games (34 starts) and holds averages of 9.1 points, 3.3 assists and 1.4 rebounds per contest.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

March 03, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Washington Wizards Earl Boykins brings the ball up the court, Boykins had 8 points coming off the Wizards bench..Milwaukee Buck won over the Washington Wizards 100-87. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

Full 2010 preseason schedule

The NBA today released its 2010 preseason schedule, which is highlighted by a comprehensive international slate of games that includes seven contests in China, Europe and Mexico. The preseason slate tips off on Oct. 3, when the New York Knicks visit Armani Jeans Milano – the former team of Knicks forward Danillo Gallinari and head coach Mike D’Antoni – in Milan, Italy, and the New Jersey Nets host Maccabi Haifa.

As is the case these days, the action starts overseas, with a few NBA squads heading to Europe.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about teams playing preseason ball overseas. Because generally it’s just a warmup. I think if NBA fans overseas are going to get a rare taste of live NBA action, it should be the best basketball possible, and we usually don’t see that before the regular season begins.

See the complete 2010-11 NBA preseason schedule.

Bucks 2010-11 preseason schedule

The Milwaukee Bucks will play three Wisconsin-based home games during the 2010 preseason, including two at the Bradley Center and one at the Resch Center in Green Bay, the team announced today.

Milwaukee returns to the Resch Center for the second consecutive season, this time playing Charlotte, coming off the Bobcats first postseason berth, on Saturday, October 9. Tickets for that game will be available at the Resch Center Box Office, TicketStarOnline.com or by calling (800) 895-0071.

The Bucks will make their first Bradley Center appearance of the preseason on Tuesday, October 5, when they host the Chicago Bulls with new coach Tom Thibodeau and recent acquisitions Carlos Boozer, and Kyle Korver. Milwaukee will close out their preseason games with the 34th Annual MACC Fund Game on Friday, October 22 vs. Minnesota. This annual event is the cornerstone of the Bucks 33-year commitment to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer. Since the inaugural event in 1977, the annual MACC Fund Game has raised more than $1 million dollars for children’s cancer research at the Midwest Children’s Cancer Center in Milwaukee.

The Bucks tip-off their preseason road slate at Detroit on Friday, October 8. The other four road games include games at Washington on Thursday, October 14, at Memphis on Saturday, October 16, against the Timberwolves on Sunday, October 17 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and against Cleveland on Thursday, October 21 (Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio).

Bulls sign F/C Kurt Thomas

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent forward/center Kurt Thomas. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

Thomas (6-9, 230), a 15-year NBA veteran, most recently played with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2009-10 campaign. Last year, he appeared in 70 games and averaged 3.0 ppg and 4.2 rpg in 15.0 mpg and shot .476 from the field and .800 from the line.

The Dallas, Texas., native has enjoyed stints with the Bucks (2009-10), San Antonio Spurs (2008-09, 2007-08), Seattle Supersonics (2007-08), Phoenix Suns (2005-07), New York Knicks (1998-2005), Dallas Mavericks (1997-98) and Miami Heat (1995-97). In 966 career games, Thomas has posted averages of 8.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.1 apg in 25.7 mpg. He owns career shooting averages of .485 from the field and .765 from the line.

Originally selected by the Miami Heat in the first round (10th overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft, the 37-year old Thomas has been a member of 10 playoff teams. In 89 playoff games, he has averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 20.4 mpg.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Good move by the Bulls. Thomas can mentor Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, and teach them the hard-nosed tricks of the trade.

Kings trade Jon Brockman to Bucks

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Darnell Jackson and a future second-round draft pick from Milwaukee in a sign and trade that sent Jon Brockman to the Bucks, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“I want to thank Jon for his effort and enthusiasm,” said Petrie. “He became a popular player in the short time he was here, and I’m sure he’ll be popular in Milwaukee. We’re looking forward to greeting Darnell and moving forward with the rest of the roster over the course of the summer.”

Jackson, a 6-9, 263-pound forward, who is currently entering his third NBA season, has recorded career averages of 1.5 points (.397 FGs, .167 3FGs, .683 FTs) and 1.4 rebounds per game through 79 contests with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2008-09 and 2009-10) and Milwaukee Bucks (2009-10). He enjoyed a four-year career at Kansas, averaging 6.8 points (.580 FGs) and 4.9 rebounds per game over 125 outings before being selected by the Miami Heat in the second-round (52nd overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Brockman, a 6-7, 255-pound forward, averaged 2.8 points (.534 FGs, .597 FTs) and 4.1 rebounds per game through 52 contests, of which he started four in his rookie campaign last year with the Kings. He scored in double figures once, grabbed 10 or more rebounds on three occasions and recorded one double-double.

Among NBA rookies, Brockman ranked ninth in rebounds per game. His draft rights (38th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft) were acquired by Sacramento along with Sergio Rodriguez and cash considerations from Portland in exchange for Jeff Pendergraph (31st overall in the 2009 NBA Draft).

Brockman had a successful, storied four-year career at Washington, averaging 13.8 points (.534 FGs, .612 FTs), 9.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game over 131 outings, of which he started 129. He was the first player in Husky history to amass at least 1,800 career points (1,805) and 1,200 rebounds (1,283), and only player to pace UW in rebounding over four seasons. Brockman joined UCLA legends Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton as the only players to lead the Pac-10 in rebounding for three consecutive years.

Timberwolves sign Luke Ridnour

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent guard Luke Ridnour. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed.

“Luke’s talent and experience will be helpful to our team this season and beyond,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “He will compete for the starting point guard position this season. But no matter what role Luke is playing, we believe he’ll have a positive influence with our young backcourt, much as he demonstrated last season in Milwaukee.”

Ridnour, 29, played in all 82 games for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2009-10, averaging 10.4 points and 4.0 assists in 21.5 minutes per game. He shot a career-best 47.8 percent from the floor this past season, including career-bests of 38.1 percent from three-point range and 90.7 percent from the free-throw line. The 6-2 point guard has played seven seasons in the NBA with Seattle and Milwaukee, and owns career averages of 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Ridnour played five seasons with the Sonics before being traded to Milwaukee in a three-team trade on Aug. 13, 2008.

A native of Blaine, Wash., Ridnour had his best season in 2005-06 with the Sonics when he averaged career-bests of 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 79 games (77 starts). He has appeared in 18 playoffs games in his career, averaging 9.1 points and 3.3 assists.

Ridnour was the 14th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Seattle as an early entry candidate out of the University of Oregon. While at Oregon, Ridnour averaged 19.7 points and 6.6 assists during his junior season and was named Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year and won the Pac-10 Tournament MVP Award.

Timberwolves to introduce Luke Ridnour Wednesday

The AP reports:

The Minnesota Timberwolves will introduce point guard Luke Ridnour at a press conference on Wednesday.

Ridnour and the Timberwolves agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $16 million last week. The 29-year-old is being brought in to add some veteran experience to a roster where no other player is older than 25.

InsideHoops.com editor says:

With Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions on board and Ridnour joining the party, the point guard position is pretty crowded. Rumors that Sessions is on the trading block have existed for a while now. Maybe he gets dealt in the near future, and perhaps Flynn or the rights to Ricky Rubio will be moved next summer.

Bucks sign Keyon Dooling

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Keyon Dooling (6-3, 195) to a contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

A 10-year NBA veteran, Dooling averaged 6.9 points, 2.5 assists and 1.0 rebound in 53 games (eight starts) for the New Jersey Nets last season. He enjoyed his best statistical season in 2008-09 when he averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 77 games for the Nets.

Selected by Orlando with the 10th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, Dooling was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers where he played the first four years of his NBA career. After one season with the Miami Heat (2004-05), he signed as a free agent with Orlando and played three seasons (2005-08) with the Magic. Prior to the 2008-09 season, Orlando traded Dooling to the Nets for cash considerations.

Dooling, 30, has played in 595 career NBA games (62 starts) and holds averages of 7.2 points, 2.2 assists and 1.4 rebounds per contest.