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The Miami HEAT announced tonight that they have requested waivers on forward Omar Barlett and guard Eddie Basden. Both were initially signed as free agents by the HEAT on Sept. 26, 2008.
Barlett appeared in one game in the preseason and totaled four points and two rebounds in 9:22 minutes against Detroit on Oct. 5.
Basden also appeared in one game and was scoreless with one assist and one steal in 9:08 minutes against the Pistons on Oct. 5.
The AP reports: Bruce Ratner’s US$4-billion dream for a new Brooklyn will have to wait, at least until next year. The New Jersey Nets owner and developer has been plagued by a string of problems that have delayed his plans for a new NBA arena, office towers and thousands of apartments in Brooklyn. Ratner said a recent court ruling would delay the project by up to six months, meaning the Nets won’t move in until least 2011. Groundbreaking has been pushed back until at least next year for the arena, which will cost more than three times what Ratner paid for the entire franchise. And the financial crisis has made it tougher to raise money, potentially jeopardizing a lucrative naming rights deal with Barclays Capital.
The Los Angeles Times (Wally Skalij) reports: A second medical examination Monday confirmed that Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic has a fractured left ankle and will miss most basketball activities for at least another 10 days, the team said today.
The New York Knicks will hold an open practice for fans at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY on Sunday, October 19, with doors opening at 10:00 a.m. Fans will get a chance to see Head Coach Mike D’Antoni run the team through a workout, as the Knicks prepare for the 2008-09 regular season. Admission is free.
There is limited reserved seating for Season Subscribers, with the remaining amount of seats open for general admission on a first come-first served basis.
Sebastian Telfair of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been suspended without pay for three games for pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, in violation of the laws of the State of New York, the NBA announced today.
Telfair will be suspended for the first three games of the 2008-09 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.
The following statement is from Minnesota Timberwolves VP of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale regarding today’s three-game suspension of Sebastian Telfair by the NBA: “I’ve talked to Sebastian about the incident. This is something that happened in the past, and he is looking forward to putting this behind him. Since he has been a member of the Timberwolves, Sebastian has been a great teammate and has been actively involved in the community. I couldn’t be more proud of Sebastian’s continued improvement as a basketball player and as a young man.”
The Charlotte Bobcats today requested waivers on guards Donell Taylor and Marcus Williams. The Bobcats roster now stands at 15 players.
Taylor appeared in two preseason games with averages of 1.0 point, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 8.0 minutes. Williams averaged 1.0 point and 1.5 rebounds in 5.5 minutes.
The Charlotte Bobcats will host their annual Cool School preseason game presented by Harris Teeter for middle school students at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 16 against the Orlando Magic. Approximately 16,000 students and teachers representing 31 regional cities and 14 counties will take part in this educationally geared event.
The Atlanta Hawks today requested waivers on Marcus Hubbard and Frank Robinson, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund. Atlanta’s roster stands at 15 players.
Atlanta hosts Phoenix in preseason play tomorrow at Philips Arena (7 p.m.).
InsideHoops.com editor says: They were ‘training camp’ players with nonguaranteed contracts. It’s standard that most such players wind up getting cut.
The AP reports: Kevin Durant shrugged off a late injury and scored 20 of his 26 points in an electrifying final 8 minutes to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Houston Rockets 110-104 on Monday night for their first preseason win… Aaron Brooks scored 20 off the bench to lead the Rockets, D.J. Strawberry added 16 and Yao Ming had 15 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in one half of action— playing the first and third quarters. Nick Collison had 21 points off the bench, Desmond Mason scored 16 and Chris Wilcox added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Thunder.
The AP reports: Rookie guard O.J. Mayo scored 26 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 103-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night… In addition to Mayo’s contributions, the Grizzlies got production from another rookie. Marc Gasol, brother of former Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. Rudy Gay finished with 16 points. T.J. Ford had 18 points for Indiana (1-2). Jarrett Jack and Roy Hibbert each added 17.
The AP reports: Acie Law’s basket with 4.5 seconds left lifted the Atlanta Hawks to an 88-87 preseason win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night. Law started at point guard in place of Mike Bibby, who was out with a strained right oblique muscle. The second-year player scored 12 points. Joe Johnson paced the Hawks (3-1) with 17 points, Josh Smith added 16 and Al Horford grabbed nine rebounds. Atlanta also got contributions from its two major offseason acquisitions; Maurice Evans had 12 points and Flip Murray 11… Jason Richardson, the only Charlotte player in double figures until the closing minutes, scored 19 points to lead the Bobcats. D.J. Augustin, the Bobcats’ first-round pick at No. 9 overall, had 11 points, six assists and three rebounds in 25 minutes. Raymond Felton doled out 11 assists.