NBA Teams – Page 1966 – NBA Blog

Allen Iverson will not return to 76ers this season

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that guard Allen Iverson will not return to the team for the remainder of the 2009-10 season.

“After discussing the situation with Allen, we have come to the conclusion that he will not return to the Sixers for the remainder of the season, as he no longer wishes to be a distraction to the organization and teammates that he loves very deeply,” Stefanski said. “It has been very difficult for Allen and the team to maintain any consistency as he tries to balance his career with his personal life.”

The team will release any additional updates on Iverson’s status as they become available.

Tim Thomas dealing with personal issue

Eddie Sefko of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:

For most of the last two months, Tim Thomas hasn’t been with the Mavericks because some things are far more important than basketball.

The 6-foot-10 forward has been caring for his wife, Tricia, who has been suffering from serious health issues for over a year.

“I had to give up doing something I love to take care of someone I love,” Thomas said in a telephone interview.

During his time away from the team, the Mavericks and Thomas have not commented on the reason for his absence. Every game, the same explanation is given: not with the team, personal reasons.

LeBron James files for change to number 6 jersey for 2010-11 season

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

LeBron James fans, get ready to make some room in your closet for No. 6 jerseys.

James told The Plain Dealer on Monday that he’s filed the paperwork with the NBA office to switch his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 next season. He had to make the decision this week, the deadline to make the request to the NBA is Wednesday.

James first brought up the idea in November, saying he wanted to give up No. 23 out of respect to his hero, Michael Jordan. At that time he said he was “50/50” on switching to No. 6, his Olympic number and the day of the month his first son was born. That now seems to be 100 percent.

“I’ve done it,” James said. “I already sent it in. I’m going to be No. 6.”

Chris Webber being sued over restaurant business

M.S. Enkoji of the Sacramento Bee reports:

Former Sacramento Kings star-turned restaurateur Chris Webber is being sued for nearly $3 million in connection with Center Court With C-Webb, his Natomas restaurant that closed in November.

In a lawsuit filed Feb. 23 in Sacramento Superior Court, Promenade, which owns the Promenade at Sacramento Gateway Shopping Center, is suing for $1.8 million under terms of the 20-year lease signed by Webber and partner Jeff Dudum, of Dudum Sports and Entertainment, in 2005 with Opus West Corp., which has since filed for bankruptcy protection.

The landlords are also asking for $1 million to help re-lease the property, $134,997 in overdue rent, $50,000 in cleanup fees and another $41,399.32 a month until the court renders a judgment.

LeBron sees T-Mac is rusty

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Tracy McGrady has already e-mailed LeBron James an overture to join him in New York next season.

But James will have to see more from T-Mac for his New York presence to be a draw.

Following McGrady’s listless six-point, 25-minute performance, James saw the rust.

“He looked like a guy who hasn’t played much,” James said after the Cavaliers crushed the Knicks 124-93 last night. “It doesn’t matter how much rehab you do, how much working out you do. You have to be out on the court, because game-time stamina is totally different. He’s still shooting extremely well. He still can play point forward as he always had. But he’s still getting his legs back. The last 20 games will help him, help him a lot for next year.”

Wizards waive Mike James

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived guard Mike James after coming to a mutual agreement on a contract buyout.

James appeared in four games for the Wizards this season, averaging 4.5 points and 1.3 assists. Overall, he averaged 9.3 points and 3.5 assists in 57 games with the Wizards after being acquired from New Orleans in a three-team deal that sent Antonio Daniels (from Washington) to New Orleans, a conditional draft pick (from Washington) to Memphis and Javaris Crittenton (from Memphis) to Washington on Dec. 10, 2008.

Spurs waive Mike Finley

Today, to honor Michael Finley’s request to be released from his contract, the San Antonio Spurs waived the veteran guard. This move will allow Finley to sign with another team and be eligible to participate in the 2010 NBA Playoffs.

“Michael Finley was an outstanding professional during his time with the Spurs,” said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. “Both on and off the court he was great example for all to follow.”

The 6-7, 225-lb Finley appeared in 347 games over five seasons with San Antonio. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 25.3 minutes while shooting .417 (1,212-2,905) from the field, .382 (490-1,282) from three-point land and .849 (309-364) from the line. Finley ranks fourth all-time for the Spurs in three-pointers made and attempted. In 55 postseason games with San Antonio he averaged 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26.9 minutes per game.

Finley was originally signed by the Spurs on 9/2/05. The two-time All-Star has also spent time with the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks. Over his 15-year NBA career, he has appeared in 1,082 games and has averaged 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 34.8 minutes. Finley has also appeared in 101 career postseason games and averaged 13.0, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33.3 minutes.

Michael Redd to have more knee surgery

Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd is scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

The surgical procedure will be performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Cole, M.D., in Oak Park, IL. Redd, 30, will begin rehabilitation immediately following surgery.

Redd injured his left knee on January 10 in the Bucks game against the Lakers at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. In 18 games this season, Redd averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.06 steals in 27.3 minutes.

A 10-year NBA veteran, Redd passed Bob Dandridge (11,478) for fourth in franchise history (January 5 at New Jersey) for scoring and stands at 11,510 points, 85 points from passing Sidney Moncrief (11,594) for third. At 568 games played, Redd is tied with Glenn Robinson for seventh in Bucks annals. Along with Junior Bridgeman and Sidney Moncrief, Redd is one of three players to play ten seasons in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform.

Timberwolves waive Mark Blount

Minnesota Timberwolves center Mark Blount has no particularly special basketball skills. He’s tall, though.

As great as that sounds, the Timberwolves today announced the team has waived Blount.

The Timberwolves acquired Blount from Miami on August 13, 2009 in exchange for Quentin Richardson. Blount did not appear in a game for the Wolves this season.

A 7-0 center, Blount has appeared in 605 career games over his nine-year NBA career, including stops in Boston, Denver, Minnesota and Miami. Originally selected by Seattle with the 54th overall pick of the 1997 NBA Draft, Blount owns career averages of 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. He played for the Wolves in 2005-06 and 2006-07, averaging 11.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 124 games.

It’s possible Blount does get signed by another team in the near future, but it would likely be an unguaranteed deal for the league minimum.

Report: Blazers to sign Travis Diener

On Monday, the Indiana Pacers waived guard Travis Diener, who has been unhealthy most of the season. He played just four games, registering statistics too small to be worth posting.

But despite his lack of productivity, according to a report from Yahoo, the Portland Trail Blazers will sign Diener when he clears waiver.

The 6-1, 175-pound Diener has an NBA career average of 4.9 points and 2.5 assists per game, playing for the Pacers and Orlando Magic.