Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

A glance at Mavs center Samuel Dalembert

A glance at Mavs center Samuel Dalembert

The Mavs signed the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Dalembert to be their starting center. They need him to provide rebounding and rim protection for a starting lineup loaded with offensive potential but flawed defensively.

Dalembert drifted in and out of Milwaukee’s rotation last season, and the Mavs are his fifth team in five years, but his per-minute rebounding and shot-blocking numbers have always been impressive. He’s a limited offensive player who turns the ball over too much for a center and shoots more jumpers than he should, but he understands and accepts that the Mavs won’t ask much from him on that end other than to set screens, rebound and catch and finish around the basket.

Reported by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas

Wolves guard A.J. Price has overcome physical, personal struggles

AJ Price

Price was invited to training camp partly because of his connection with new Wolves General Manager Milt Newton from the season they spent together in Washington a year ago, partly because of three seasons with the Pacers and one with the Wizards. And partly because of two transformational years in college when he went two seasons without basketball because of complicated brain surgery and his own decisions.

At age 27, he is trying to stay in the NBA with an opportunity he admits was the only real one that didn’t involve playing overseas. He is competing with fellow veteran Othyus Jeffers and rookies Lorenzo Brown and Robbie Hummel for the team’s final two jobs because of what Adelman calls his professionalism and Price himself attributes to life’s lessons learned.

Price missed two collegiate seasons after his freshman year at Connecticut when he was diagnosed with a condition that entangles brain arteries and veins and required that surgery he credits with saving his life after his brain hemorrhaged. While he recovered, Price and a teammate were suspended by the school for a season for their involvement in trying to sell stolen laptop computers.

Reported by Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Andrew Bogut knocked out of game with lower back spasms

Andrew Bogut knocked out of game with lower back spasms

[Golden State Warriors center] Andrew Bogut got the ball on the left low block, with Pau Gasol on his back. He took a couple dribbles towards the middle then spun back to his left, dropping in the left hand hook. This was at the 9:26 mark of the first quarter.

Running back down court, Bogut began to grimace and hold his lower back. Moments later, he was taken out of the game. He limped straight to the locker room. Not exactly a sight Warriors fans wanted to see.

Bogut was done for the night, knocked out of the second and final preseason game with lower back spasms. No word on the severity of the spasms, but safe to say the 12 hours of flying back to the United States will be uncomfortable.

Reported by Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times (Blog)

Carmelo Anthony rumors: future may be with Knicks or Lakers

Future of Carmelo Anthony may be with Knicks or Lakers

Carmelo Anthony reiterated that he wants it all: He wants to be a Knick for life, yet he also wants NBA teams — the Lakers, really — to court him when he becomes a free agent on July 1.

The Melo-drama Part II is under way in the wake of Anthony confirming that he plans to opt out of his contract next summer and become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. And for the first time, Anthony hinted that it is a two-team race between the Knicks and Lakers.

When asked about the long-held belief that the Lakers would pursue him, Anthony said: “What other team would they say? I don’t think they would say any other team. If you look at situations, that’s the only team that they probably would say.”

The Lakers will have cap space, and Anthony is close to Kobe Bryant. Also, Anthony owns a home in Los Angeles, and his wife, La La, is a working actress in Hollywood. Needless to say, if Anthony leaves the Knicks, it won’t be for a small market team.

Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News

Brooklyn Nets waive Gary Forbes

Brooklyn Nets waive Gary Forbes

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on forward Gary Forbes, Nets General Manager Billy King announced tonight. Forbes, who was signed to the training camp roster on September 30, appeared in four preseason games, averaging 6.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

The Nets roster now stands at 17 players.

There are more cuts to come, both on the Nets and around the league, as teams have to trim their rosters down to 15 players by the start of the regular season.

Lakers waive Darius Johnson-Odom

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Darius Johnson-Odom, it was announced today.

Johnson-Odom, the 55th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, was originally acquired by the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks on draft night. The 6-2 guard out of Marquette appeared in four games for the Lakers last season, where he totaled four rebounds and one assist in six minutes. Johnson-Odom also played in 13 games for the Los Angeles D-Fenders where he averaged 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 39.8 minutes. After being waived by the Lakers in January, the Raleigh, North Carolina native spent the remainder of the 2012-13 season playing in Russia for BC Spartak Saint Petersburg. Johnson-Odom then proceeded to participate in the 2013 NBA Summer League games in Orlando and Las Vegas as a member of the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.

Signed by the Lakers in September, Johnson-Odom played in three games this preseason, averaging 3.7 points, 0.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 8.2 minutes.

The Lakers training camp roster now stands at 16 players.

Charlotte Bobcats will host free open practice on October 23

Charlotte Bobcats will host free open practice

The Charlotte Bobcats will host an open practice on October 23 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Time Warner Cable Arena. This free event is open to the public and fans in attendance will have the opportunity to receive autographs from players, coaches and the Lady Cats at the conclusion of the event. Official team merchandise will be available, concession stands will be open and various entertainment elements will be on display in the main concourse. During the event, one lucky fan will win an exclusive behind the scenes game day opportunity hosted by Bobcats Head Coach Steve Clifford.

“As we prepare for the upcoming season, this is a great opportunity to showcase our basketball team to the fans,” Bobcats Sports & Entertainment President & COO Fred Whitfield said. “The support for our organization has been tremendous, and we are looking forward to that continued loyalty throughout this year as we make Time Warner Cable Arena one of the best home court atmospheres in the NBA.”

Blazers guard CJ McCollum health update: Out six weeks

Portland guard CJ McCollum successfully underwent a non-operative ultrasound procedure today to repair the fifth metatarsal fracture in his left foot. The procedure, which is designed to promote bone growth, was performed at the OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina by Dr. Robert Anderson.

McCollum will remain sidelined indefinitely and will be reevaluated in six weeks.

Denver Nuggets Waive Reginald Becton-Buckner And Kyle Fogg

Denver Nuggets Waive Reginald Becton And Kyle Fogg

The Denver Nuggets have waived forward Reginald Becton-Buckner and guard Kyle Fogg, general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Fogg appeared in one preseason game for the Nuggets, scoring one point in two minutes against the San Antonio Spurs. Becton did not play in any of Denver’s first four preseason games.

The Nuggets now have 16 players on their training camp roster.

As NBA preseason continues, many more players around the league who were signed to non-guaranteed “training camp contracts” will be let go by their teams.