Brooklyn Nets Blog – Page 91 – NBA Blog

Nets sign forward Shelden Williams

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent forward Shelden Williams, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

“We are pleased to add Shelden to our roster,” said King. “He is a proven veteran who will add depth to our frontcourt rotation.”

Williams (6’9”/250), a five-year NBA veteran who has played for six teams, holds career averages of 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 303 games.

Selected out of Duke by Atlanta with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Williams played one and a half seasons with the Hawks before being traded to the Sacramento Kings during the to the 2007-08 season.

After splitting the 2008-09 season between Sacramento and Minnesota, Williams signed as a free agent with Boston for the 2009-10 season, where he appeared in 54 regular season games and eight postseason contests, helping the Celtics reach the NBA Finals.

Last season, Williams played in 42 games with the Denver Nuggets before a mid-season trade that sent him to New York, where he appeared in 17 games. Totaling 59 (38 starts) games in 2010-11, Williams had season averages of 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Dallas Mavericks sign guard Vince Carter

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed free agent guard Vince Carter. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Carter (6-6, 220) is an eight-time NBA All-Star who currently ranks 35th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list (eighth among active players) with 20,250 career points. The former Rookie of the Year (1998-99) and Slam Dunk Contest winner (2000) holds career averages of 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 925 games (907 starts) with Toronto, New Jersey, Orlando and Phoenix.

Originally the fifth overall selection in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Carter was traded on draft day to the Toronto Raptors where he would help lead that franchise to its first Playoff appearance in 2000. In December of 2004, Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets where he would team with current-Maverick Jason Kidd. Carter spent five seasons in New Jersey and is still ranked in the franchise’s Top 10 in 19 statistical categories.

The native of Daytona Beach, Fla., was traded to the Orlando Magic on draft day in 2009. Carter would play in his home state for a little more than a season, but in his short time there he helped take the Magic to the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. In December of 2010, Carter was traded to the Phoenix Suns where he finished out last season and scored his 20,000th point becoming just the 37th NBA player to accomplish that feat.

Carter was a standout at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he led the Tarheels to two consecutive Final Four berths (1997, 1998). Carter declared himself eligible for the 1998 NBA Draft after his junior season in Chapel Hill.

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov to run for Russian presidency

Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia’s richest tycoons and the owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, said Monday he will run against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the March presidential election.

Prokhorov has been cautious not to cross Putin’s path in the past, but the billionaire may pose a serious challenge to Putin, whose authority has been dented by alleged widespread fraud during Russia’s Dec. 4 parliamentary election.

Putin’s party only won about 50 percent of that vote, compared to 64 percent four years ago, and the fraud allegations have allowed opposition parties to successfully mount massive anti-Putin protests in Russia.

On Sunday, President Dmitry Medvedev promised on his Facebook page that the alleged vote fraud will be investigated. But Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, predicted Monday the probe will show that little vote fraud occurred and that it had no effect on the outcome of the ballot.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Mavericks sign forward Brandan Wright

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed free agent forward Brandan Wright. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Wright (6-10, 210) is a former first round draft pick (eighth overall) and joins the Mavericks as a free agent from the New Jersey Nets. Wright was traded to New Jersey last February from the Golden State Warriors, where he began his career in 2007. He holds career averages of 5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 12.6 minutes in 114 career games with 31 starts.

Wright was a standout at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he started all 37 games as a freshman and was named Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year and All-ACC Second Team. He was an early-entry candidate into the 2007 NBA Draft and was the eighth overall pick by the Charlotte Bobcats. Wright was acquired by Golden State in a draft-day trade in exchange for Jason Richardson and the draft rights to Jermareo Davidson.

A native of Nashville, Tenn., Wright was a two-time Parade All-American and was the first athlete in the state ever to earn “Mr. Tennessee” honors three times. He also led Brentwood Academy to four consecutive state championships.

Nets sign rookies MarShon Brooks and Jordan Williams

The New Jersey Nets have signed first round draft pick MarShon Brooks and second round draft pick Jordan Williams, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released.

Brooks (6’5”/200), was drafted by Boston in the first round (25th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft and then traded to New Jersey in exchange for the rights to the 27th pick, JuJuan Johnson, and the Nets’ 2014 second round pick on June 23, 2011. As a senior at Providence College, Brooks was named Third Team AP All-America and was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award. He was also a First Team All-Big East selection and scored a Big East record 52 points vs. No. 9 Notre Dame, converting a league-record 20 field goals. The 52 points tied Jimmer Fredette’s performance vs. New Mexico for the most in Division I in 2010-11. Brooks averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks in 32 contests for the Friars.

Williams (6’10”/260) was drafted by New Jersey in the second round (36th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft. As a sophomore at Maryland, he led the ACC in rebounding (11.8 rpg), ranking third nationally, and was second in Division I with 25 double-doubles, establishing a school record. A First-Team All-ACC pick and an AP All-America Honorable Mention choice, Williams was a midseason candidate for the Wooden and Naismith awards and was named to the ACC All-Rookie Team as a freshman. He is only the third Terp freshman in history with 250 points and 250 boards (Joe Smith, Buck Williams).

Nets sign three players to training camp roster

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agents JamesOn Curry, Dennis Horner, and Jerry Smith, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were not released. All three players come from the Springfield Armor, the Nets D-League affiliate, after appearing in the Armor’s first three games of the season. The Nets training camp roster stands at 14 players.

Curry, a 6’4” guard, has spent the previous four seasons in the D-League with Iowa and Springfield. After being selected in the second round, 51st overall, by the Chicago Bulls in the 2007 NBA Draft, Curry spent time with Iowa on assignment during the 2007-08 season and rejoined the team during the 2008-09 campaign. The Oklahoma State alum was taken 14th overall in the first round of the 2009 NBA D-League Draft as the first selection in Springfield Armor history. Curry played in one game with the Los Angeles Clippers in January of 2010 after earning a 10-day contract. In three seasons with Springfield, Curry has appeared in 74 games and averaged 15.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 36.3 minutes. He is the Armor’s franchise leader in points, assists, steals and games played. In three contests in 2011-12, all starts, Curry has averaged 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 assists in 38 minutes.

Horner, a 6’9” forward, is a New Jersey native who spent four years at N.C. State. After leaving school following the 2009-10 campaign, Horner joined VOO Verviers-Pepinster in Belgium’s First Division before moving to Hasapis Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus’ Division A. During the 2010-11 season, he averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 13 games with Hasapis Omonia Nicosia. Horner was selected by the Springfield Armor in the third round (47th overall) in the 2011 NBA Development League Draft. In three games with the Armor this season, all starts, he averaged 15.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 30 minutes.

Smith, a 6’2” guard, played four years at Louisville before being selected by Springfield in the fifth round, 69th overall, in the 2010 NBA D-League Draft. Entering the 2011-12 campaign, Smith is ranked in the Armor’s top five all-time in points, assists, steals, and minutes played. In 49 career games with the Armor, Smith has averaged 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 25 minutes. In three contests this season, he has averaged 20.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 34 minutes.

Dwight Howard reportedly favors joining Nets

Dwight Howard is preparing to ask the Orlando Magic to trade him to the New Jersey Nets, according to sources close to the situation.

Howard’s representatives have told the Nets that they are his preferred destination.

Howard has yet to tell the Magic he will not re-sign with them after this season, but the sources said he will within the next few days, perhaps as early as Friday. There is also a chance that Howard will not attend the opening of training camp Friday, according to a source.

As ESPN.com reported last week, the Nets are ready to offer the Magic a package built around center Brook Lopez and two first-round draft picks, New Jersey’s own and one the Nets acquired from Houston in a previous trade, according to sources.

— Reported by Chris Broussard of ESPN the Magazine

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Nets hire P.J. Carlesimo and Mario Elie as assistant coaches

The New Jersey Nets have named P.J. Carlesimo and Mario Elie as assistant coaches, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Carlesimo and Elie join assistant coaches Popeye Jones and Tom Barrise and assistant coach/player development Doug Overton on Head Coach Avery Johnson’s staff. In addition, the Nets have named Dr. Jeremy Bettle as the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

P.J. Carlesimo brings over 35 years of coaching experience to the Nets, most recently serving as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors in 2010-11. A three-time NBA head coach, Carlesimo previously held the top job in Portland (1994-97), Golden State (1996-2000) and Seattle/Oklahoma City (2007-09). In seven NBA seasons, Carlesimo had an overall NBA coaching record of 203-284 (.417). In addition, Carlesimo spent five seasons (2002-2007) as Gregg Popovich’s lead assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, where they captured three NBA titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Carlesimo began his coaching career as an assistant at Fordham University in 1971, before serving as head coach at New Hampshire College, Wagner College, Seton Hall University, where he guided the Pirates to the NCAA Tournament championship game in 1989.

Carlesimo served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball for the gold-medal winning team at the 1992 Olympic Games, the 1990 World Championships, the 1990 Goodwill Games and the 1988 Olympic Trials. In addition, Carlesimo was the head coach of three other U.S. Teams, including the 1991 World University Games squad, winners of the gold medal, and at the Olympic Festival in Norman and Oklahoma City in 1989.

A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Carlesimo graduated from Fordham University in 1971. He has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (1992 USAB Dream Team), Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, the Wagner Hall of Fame and the Seton Hall Athletic Hall of Fame. His father, the late Pete Carlesimo, was the long-time executive director of the NIT. Between coaching stints, Carlesimo has been a broadcaster for NBC Sports, Turner Sports and Spurs Television.

Mario Elie comes to the Nets after spending the last two seasons as an assistant with Sacramento. Following an 11-year playing career, Elie entered the coaching ranks as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003-04. From there, Elie went on to serve as an assistant coach for Golden State (2004-06) and Dallas (2007-09), before joining the Kings in 2009.

Elie enjoyed a successful NBA playing career averaging 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 732 regular season games with Golden State, Philadelphia, Portland, Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix. He also played in 116 career playoff contests, winning three NBA Championships with Houston (1994 & 1995) and San Antonio (1999).

A native of New York City, Elie was drafted in the seventh round by the Milwaukee Bucks (160th overall pick) in 1985 out of American International College – a Division II school in Springfield, Mass. Elie played in Portugal, Argentina, Ireland, the USBL, the WBL and the CBA before making his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in December 1990.

Dr. Jeremy Bettle joins the Nets after serving at UC Santa Barbara as Director of Sports Performance and most recently, assistant athletics director. At UCSB, he was directly responsible for the strength and conditioning of all 20 intercollegiate programs. Prior to joining UCSB, Bettle was the Director of Wellness and Athletic Programs for Hayashida Physical Therapy in Santa Barbara, while also serving as the regional strength and conditioning coach for USA Rugby.

Bettle has also held positions as a strength and conditioning coach at Middle Tennessee State University, a technical manager for USA Rugby, and a speed development consultant with Viadana Rugby, the premier professional rugby organization in Italy.

Bettle holds a Ph.D in Human Performance from Middle Tennessee State. He also has a Master’s in exercise science from Middle Tennessee State and earned a degree in sports and exercise science from Leeds University (England). He holds a CSCS certificate from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Spurs to use amnesty clause on Richard Jefferson

The Richard Jefferson era in San Antonio appears over.

According to an NBA source, the Spurs plan to exercise their amnesty provision on Jefferson’s contract, once that option becomes available to them upon completion of the new collective bargaining agreement. A source familiar with the Spurs front office’s thinking said the team is awaiting to see the finalized amnesty rule before coming to a final decision, but the team is strongly considering jettisoning Jefferson.

The move, first reported by Yahoo! Sports, would wipe from the books the remaining three years of Jefferson’s contract worth nearly $30.5 million, $9.2 million of which is due this season, and give the Spurs financial freedom to pursue a new starting small forward in free agency.

That replacement, in fact, might be already be in San Antonio.

Not long before word of Jefferson’s impending release broke, free agent Caron Butler wrapped up a visit in San Antonio his agent, Raymond Brothers, said “went flawlessly.”

— Reported by Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-New Blog

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Nets forward Travis Outlaw out 10 more days with hand injury

New Jersey Nets forward Travis Outlaw will be able to begin contact in 10 days after an examination today by Nets team physician Dr. Riley Williams III and hand specialist Dr. Andrew Weiland.

Outlaw fractured his right hand nine weeks ago and had surgery performed at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.