Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Zack Rosen signs deal with Israeli club

Zack Rosen’s dream has come true, even if it’s 6,000 miles away.

The standout Penn point guard signed his first pro contract Thursday night, with Hapoel Holon of the Israeli Super League. Rosen broke the news himself, putting up a picture of the contract on his Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Rosen, 23, played for the Quakers from 2008-12 and graduated as Penn’s all-time leader in assists (588), games started (115) and minutes played (4,198). The reigning Ivy League Player of the Year also ended his Penn career third in school history in points, threes made and free throw percentage.

— Reported by CSN Philly

Paul Pierce discusses Ray Allen leaving Boston

Paul Pierce discusses Ray Allen leaving the Celtics

Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce admitted he’s a “little bitter” about Ray Allen’s decision to go to Miami and said it will be “weird” going up against him on opening night next season, but Pierce expressed gratitude for what Allen brought to Boston, including helping the Celtics win a title.

“Ray made the best decision for him,” Pierce told the team’s official website Thursday in his first public offseason comments during a video interview. “That’s what it’s all about: You get in these situations, you become a free agent, and you make a decision based on what’s best for you and your family. Ray will always be a brother for me. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be wearing a championship ring. So the things he was able to do for this organization, will never be forgotten.”

Asked if he’s talked to Allen since he spurned Boston’s two-year, $12 million offer to sign with Miami for half the value, Pierce said, “A couple texts. I’m a little bitter that he went to Miami, but he’s still a brother of mine.”

— Reported by Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston

Hornets sign deal with WWL radio

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed a multi-year deal with Entercom Communications to broadcast all Hornets games live on WWL radio beginning with the upcoming 2012-13 season.

The broadcast team is anchored by Sean Kelley, who will begin his eighth season as the team’s play-by-play voice. Kelley will be joined by John DeShazier as he begins his first season as color analyst. DeShazier joins the broadcast team after working on the Times Picayune’s sports staff since 1992. Since the Hornets arrived in the Crescent City in 2002, DeShazier has been the primary columnist on Hornets and NBA related matters, including being featured on local and national radio and online interviews related to basketball in New Orleans.

The agreement, along with full game coverage, will include a post-game show, as well as a weekly Thursday night coach’s show with Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams hosted by Deshazier.

“We enjoy a great partnership with WWL radio and are thrilled that Hornets games will be broadcast on New Orleans’ leading radio station and become part of the great momentum we are enjoying this summer,” said Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson. “WWL radio has long been the recognized leader in sports coverage.  We couldn’t be happier about this partnership for Hornets basketball.”

“WWL radio, the News, Talk & Sports leader in the Gulf South, home of the New Orleans Saints and everything LSU, is proud to add New Orleans Hornets basketball to our lineup,” said Chris Claus, Vice President and General Manager of Entercom New Orleans. “The Hornets had the NBA’s best off-season and we are proud to have the opportunity to broadcast their games. Great new ownership, top draft picks, terrific free agent signings and smart trades have the entire region talking. We can’t wait to deliver Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers…exciting Hornets basketball to WWL listeners beginning Halloween night against San Antonio.”

In addition to using the power of WWL radio, Entercom will use its other amazing radio stations B-97, Magic 101.9, Bayou 95.7 and ESPN 1350am to market and promote Hornets basketball to the New Orleans metro and beyond.

“The announcement of WWL radio as our flagship radio station is another addition to the excitement surrounding our upcoming season,” said Owner/Vice Chairman Rita Benson LeBlanc. “With both Hornets and Saints games broadcasting on WWL radio, as well as extensive coverage of both teams, it truly is our city’s leading station in regards to New Orleans sports.”

C.J. Miles likely joining the Cavs

C.J. Miles likely joining the Cavs

Unrestricted free agent small forward C.J. Miles has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a league source told The Salt Lake Tribune on Friday.

Miles is expected to sign a two-year deal with Cleveland and compete for a starting spot during the 2012-13 season.

Miles, 25, drew interest from several teams during free agency, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas, Milwaukee and Houston. His growing bond with Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and the opportunity Cleveland presented him heavily factored into his decision.

“He’s so happy,” the source said.

— Reported by Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune Blog

Pat Riley says Heat want but do not need to add a center

On a roster that has only Joel Anthony and Dexter Pittman under contract at center, Miami Heat President Pat Riley has reiterated that he sees no need to aggressively pursue a veteran in free agency.

“We definitely are going to continue to look for somebody in that spot, but unless there’s an injury, we really don’t need a center,” Riley said during an appearance on WQAM.

Among veteran big men who remain available are Darko Milicic, Chris Andersen, Jermaine O’Neal, Ben Wallace, Lou Amundson, Joel Przybilla and Andray Blatche. But as he has since the Heat won the 2012 NBA championship with Chris Bosh as the team’s starting center, Riley said he believes the team is covered at the position.

“We signed Chris, basically, in my mind, fully in my mind, not in the back of my mind, he was probably going to be our center in critical situations,” Riley said on the Joe Rose Show. “And, so, Chris Bosh is a power forward, he’s a Tim Duncan-type player, but when you watch the San Antonio Spurs play, Tim is in the middle. That’s all there is to it.”

— Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Charles Barkley says Clyde Drexler was jealous of Michael Jordan

“I think Clyde has always been jealous of Michael (Jordan), to be honest with you,” Barkley said on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “I think he’s always wanted to be compared to Michael.

“Hey, we all want to be compared to Michael, but we’re not. Clyde was a great player, but there was always that jealousy of Michael. That was one of the incidents and things about the Dream Team, Clyde was trying to play like it was Game 7 against Michael, and that’s probably not a good idea. When Michael is driving his kids to school, he thinks it’s Game 7.”

— Reported by ESPN Chicago

Timberwolves sign center Greg Stiemsma

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed unrestricted free-agent center Greg Stiemsma to a contract.

“Greg had a fine rookie season for the Boston Celtics and is just beginning to mature as a player,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “The physical nature of his game and his ability to rebound and block shots will be a welcome addition to our front court.”

Stiemsma, 26, spent the 2011-12 season with Boston, averaging 2.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.55 blocks in 55 games, and appeared in 19 playoff games. He ranked 14th in blocked shots per game and second in blocked shots per minute (5.32).

The 6-11 center was previously signed by the Wolves on April 13, 2010 and waived on Sept. 10, 2010. Stiemsma played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA D-League in 2009-10, averaging 8.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks in 45 games and was named the NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year. He appeared in four games for Sioux Falls in 2011 before signing with the Celtics. Stiemsma also played in South Korea in 2009-10 and Turkey in 2008-09 and 2010-11. He was a member of the 2011 USA National Team that won a bronze medal at the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara. The Randolph, Wis., native played collegiately for four years at the University of Wisconsin.

Chinese basketball star Yi Jianlian out with knee injury

Chinese basketball star Yi Jianlian out with knee injury

China’s already slim chances in men’s basketball just took a serious blow when star forward Yi Jianlian went down with a knee injury.

Yi appeared to twist his right knee late in a loss to Australia on Thursday.

Yi had to be helped off the floor by teammates and he was still limping badly when the game was over.

— Reported by Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press

Roger Mason Jr signing with Hornets

Roger Mason Jr signing with Hornets

After attracting attention from the Wizards, New Orleans, Chicago, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers, among others, Mason eventually settled on the Hornets. He agreed to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum on Wednesday, effectively going from one former No. 1 pick from Kentucky (John Wall) to another (Anthony Davis).

“I’m excited. They told me from the start that they wanted me. They stayed in touch. They have a clear role for me, as far as me not just being a veteran leader, but a guy that can contribute on the court,” Mason said in a telephone interview. “I just love the direction the franchise is going. So I’m looking forward to heading down there.”

Mason, 31, will be surrounded by some familiar faces in New Orleans, having already worked with Hornets General Manager Dell Demps while the two were in San Antonio and with assistant general manager Tim Connelly, the former director of player personnel for the Wizards. He has also spoken with Hornets Coach Monty Williams, a District native, several times during the recruiting process.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)