The AP reports: The first black majority owner of a major professional sports team is not interested in selling, even as he loses millions in a bad economy. Bob Johnson said Monday he remains committed to the Charlotte Bobcats, who have struggled to win and attract fans since he paid $300 million for the expansion franchise four years ago. Johnson laid off nearly 40 employees in the past month to save money, and three top executives have left the organization. But in an interview with The Associated Press, Johnson said he has no intention of unloading the team, and will spend what it takes to get the Bobcats to the playoffs for the first time.
Category: NBA Teams
NBA teams blog
Lakers waive Brandon Heath
The Los Angeles Lakers have requested waivers on guard Brandon Heath, it was announced today.
Heath, a 6-3 guard out of San Diego State spent last season playing in France for Entente Orleans 45 where he averaged 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25 games. In five preseason games with the Lakers, Heath averaged 1.4 points in 8.6 minutes.
The Lakers preseason roster now stands at 17.
Baron Davis back in 1 week
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis underwent an examination today by Dr. Roy Meals, a hand specialist with the UCLA Medical Group. The examination revealed that Davis had sustained a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left ring finger. The injury does not require surgery and is expected to heal on its own. Davis will wear a splint and is expected to resume all basketball activities in one week.
Davis was originally diagnosed with a sprained left ring finger after falling on his hand during practice at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on Friday, October 17th. X-rays taken after the injury occurred were negative and a subsequent MRI revealed results that were inconclusive, leading to today’s follow up examination.
Cavs waive Vernon Hamilton
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that they have waived guard Vernon Hamilton. Hamilton played in four games during the Cavaliers current preseason, averaging 0.8 points, 0.8 assists and 1.0 rebound in 6.8 minutes per game.
Grizzlies waive Brent Petway
The Memphis Grizzlies waived forward Brent Petway, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.
Petway, who signed on Sept. 29, appeared in one preseason game at Houston on Oct. 7, recording two points and one rebound in four minutes.
An updated preseason roster is attached. The current roster stands at 14 players.
The Grizzlies will play their final two preseason games vs. the Miami Heat at 6:30 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at AmericanAirlines Arena and vs. the Orlando Magic at 6 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at AMWAY Arena.
Darius Miles says he’s now a role player
I was with Darius Miles a few days ago in New Jersey, before a recent Nets-Celtics preseason game, and talked with Miles for a quick 90 seconds.
So, I label it a “mini-interview.”
And in our very brief conversation, Darius said he’s not a main option anymore and now more of a role player.
See his exact quotes here.
As for his time with the Celtics, that ended today as the team waived him.
Deron Williams out at least 2 weeks
The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams, who injured his left ankle at the 5:39 mark of the first quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game at Chicago.
As a result of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing conducted on Williams’ ankle earlier today, Jazz team physician Dr. Lyle Mason has determined that Williams suffered a second degree inversion sprain. The MRI also showed all bone structure and tendons in and around the ankle to be normal.
The time frame for Williams’ return to action is a minimum of two weeks.
Originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (third overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft, Williams has appeared in 242 of a possible 246 regular season games and all 29 playoff games in his first three NBA seasons, posting career averages of 15.3 points and 8.1 assists in 34.4 minutes per game. Williams started all 82 games for the Jazz in 2007-08, averaging 18.8 points and 10.5 assists in 37.3 minutes per game. He became only the third player in NBA history to total 1500+ points and 800+ assists while shooting .500+ in a single season (Kevin Johnson, Magic Johnson) and was also selected to the All-NBA Second Team.
James Jones has wrist surgery
The Miami HEAT announced that forward James Jones underwent successful surgery on Saturday, October 18th to repair a ruptured extensor tendon in his right wrist. The surgery was performed by Dr. Ann Ouellette and consulted by HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables. Jones is expected to be out three months.
Jones was signed by the HEAT as a free agent on July 9.
Sixers waive Antywane Robinson
Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has waived Antywane Robinson. He appeared in three preseason games for the Sixers, playing a total of 15 minutes. The roster now stands at 15.
Robinson (6-8, 220) played all four seasons at Temple University, earning Atlantic-10 All-Conference Second Team honors his senior season. In 116 career games played for the Owls, he had 85 steals to 54 turnovers. He has yet to appear in a regular season game since going undrafted in 2006, but played preseason games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2007. After being waived by the Hawks, Robinson joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the D-League before playing overseas for Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez of the French League.
InsideHoops.com editor says: The guy’s first name is Antywane?!?
Uncertain McGrady health
The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: A day after Tracy McGrady expressed concern about whether he would be ready for the Rockets’ season opener Oct. 29, he was so encouraged by his play in Sunday’s scrimmage-heavy practice that he spoke confidently about playing in the preseason finale Thursday night in Sacramento. “Actually, I felt pretty good today,” McGrady said. “I wanted to really push myself in practice, to start today a push toward the game on Thursday. I came in here, did what I wanted to do, went hard and felt pretty good. “I am (encouraged.) It’s better for my psyche coming out here and knowing I can get up and down and I can do some of the things I had trouble with earlier. Still struggling a little bit defensively, but I’m coming around.”