San Antonio Spurs Blog – Page 60 – NBA Blog

Spurs legend George Gervin awarded honorary doctorate degree

Spurs legend George Gervin was awarded with an honorary doctorate of education degree from his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University, at the university’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 18.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be the recipient of the honorary doctorate of education from my alma mater, Eastern Michigan University,” said Gervin, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in May of 1996.

Gervin, who played two seasons for Eastern Michigan (1971-72), was recognized by the university for his commitment to serving youth in San Antonio through various efforts, including the George Gervin Youth Center. The GGYC, which was created in 1991, provides vocational training, remedial education, mentoring, tutoring, job placement and supportive services for over 1,400 of San Antonio’s at-risk and disadvantaged youth and their families. The organization’s mission is to provide innovative, comprehensive, culturally sensitive service to positively impact the lives of troubled youth and their families.

“It was great to have George Gervin back on Eastern’s campus,” said Susan Martin, president of Eastern Michigan University. “His commencement address to students conveyed powerful and important themes about education being a lifelong process, the importance of family, and the value of giving back and volunteering to help your community. We respect the amazing skills he brought to the basketball court here at Eastern and in San Antonio, but even more importantly we admire the efforts of George and his wife, Joyce, to help children and families in San Antonio to better their lives and achieve their dreams.”

During his 14-year professional career, Gervin established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. In three ABA seasons and 11 NBA seasons he scored 26,595 career points, which is the 14th highest combined ABA/NBA total in history. Gervin spent 12 of his 14 professional seasons in San Antonio and had his No. 44 jersey retired by the Spurs in Dec. of 1987. Gervin, who has served as a community responsibility representative for Spurs Sports and Entertainment since 1994, posted career averages of 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 1,060 regular season games.

San Antonio Spurs waive Steve Novak and Antonio McDyess

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that forward Steve Novak has been placed on waivers. He originally signed with the Spurs on March 4, 2011. In 23 games in San Antonio, during the 2010-11 season, he averaged 4.0 points in 8.6 minutes. Novak re-signed with the Spurs on December 15, 2011.

At the same time the team announced that, due to the structure of his contract, Antonio McDyess has also been placed on waivers. McDyess signed with the Spurs on July 10, 2009. He spent the last two NBA seasons in San Antonio and, in April, McDyess announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

“Antonio McDyess is the ultimate pro,” said Spurs General Manager RC Buford. “It was truly a pleasure to have him in San Antonio the last two seasons. Antonio and his wife, Liara, are an important part of the Spurs family and will always be welcome.”

Antonio McDyess will not return to Spurs

The Spurs had until the end of business Monday to guarantee the other half of veteran big man Antonio McDyess’ $5.2 million contract, but they won’t drag the process to the end of the day.

The teams acknowledged that McDyess won’t be back, and the club will get to remove $2.6 million, the non=guaranteed portion of his contract, off its player payroll for the 2011-12 season.

McDyess, a former All-Star and an Olympic gold medal winner i n 2000, started all six playoff games last season.

— Reported by Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News Blog

San Antonio Spurs re-sign forward Steve Novak

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have re-signed forward Steve Novak. Per club policy details of the contract were not released.

Novak, a 6-10 forward, was signed to two 10-day contracts last season before signing for the remainder of the season on March 4. In 23 games with the Spurs, he averaged 4.0 points and 1.0 rebound in 8.6 minutes while shooting .525 (31-59) from the field, .548 (23-42) from three-point range and 1.000 (8-8) from the free throw line. Novak posted a season-high 19 points (6-10 FG, 5-8 3FG, 2-2 FT) and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes vs. Charlotte on March 19. Prior to signing with the Spurs he appeared in two games with the Reno Bighorns in the NBA Development League, averaging 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 29.5 minutes. Novak started the season with the Dallas Mavericks appearing in seven games, averaging 1.6 points in 2.6 minutes.

Novak has appeared in 225 regular season games with Houston, the L.A. Clippers, Dallas and San Antonio in his five-year NBA career, averaging 4.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per game. For his career he is shooting .443 (320-723) from the field and .417 (214-513) from three-point range.

Spurs waive Da’Sean Butler

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have waived Da’Sean Butler.

Butler was signed by the Spurs on March 25, 2011, but did not appear in any games.

He is a 6-7, 230-pound forward.

Spurs guard Gary Neal undergoes appendectomy

The San Antonio Spurs announced that earlier today a successful appendectomy was performed on guard Gary Neal. The laparoscopic procedure was performed in San Antonio and Neal’s appendix was removed without complications.

Neal enjoyed a successful rookie campaign during the 2010-11 season. He averaged 9.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 21.1 minutes in 80 games. He led all rookies in three-point field goal percentage, posting a .419 mark, and earned a spot on the 2011 All-Rookie First Team.

For the first week of his recovery Neal will not be allowed to engage in any physical activity. Next week he will be examined by doctors at which point a timeline for his return will be determined.

Spurs sign Gani Lawal and Antoine Hood

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard Antoine Hood and forward Gani Lawal. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. At the same time, the Spurs announced that they have waived guard Devin Gibson.

Hood saw action with Nova Hut Ostrava in the Czech Republic in 2009-10, where he averaged 16.8 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting .594 from the field in 11 games. He played collegiately at the Air Force Academy (2002-06), where he averaged 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 118 games for his career. He was named All-Mountain West First Team his senior year, averaging a team-best 14.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 29 games.

Lawal was added to the training camp roster after being waived by the Phoenix Suns on December 10, 2011. In his rookie campaign with the Suns last year, he saw two minutes of action against Detroit before suffering a torn ACL and a partially torn MCL in practice on January 6. After rehabilitating his knee injury, he played 10 games with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, where he averaged 11.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. Lawal started the 2011-12 season in Poland playing for Zastal ZG, averaging 16.5 points and 11.7 rebounds while shooting .627 from the field in 10 games. In his final collegiate season at Georgia Tech in 2009-10, he averaged a team-best 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.

Tim Duncan not retiring from NBA just yet

Tim Duncan spent much of the NBA’s five-month lockout in much the same manner one might expect Tim Duncan to spend a five-month lockout.

When he wasn’t in the gym playing basketball, or on the track working on his conditioning, or in the weight room lifting, he was at home in his living room, playing with his two young children.

If the greatest power forward of his generation was supposed to spend the excess downtime soul-searching, reflecting on a career that, at age 35, is steadily steaming toward its end, well, nobody thought to inform Duncan.

Retirement? So soon?

“I haven’t gotten to that bridge,” Duncan said, at the dawn of his 15th Spurs training camp. “I don’t even see that bridge yet. When I get there, then I’ll cross it.”

In the final season of his contract, at an age when most players are being fitted for a rocking chair, Duncan can be sure he’ll hear similar questions at every NBA outpost he visits this season.

— Reported by Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News Blog

Spurs sign guard T.J. Ford

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that the team has signed guard T.J. Ford. Per club policy details of the contract were not released.

The 28-year-old Texas native has posted career averages of 11.4 points, 5.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 415 regular season games in seven NBA seasons. Prior to signing with San Antonio the 6-0, 165-pound point guard enjoyed stints with Milwaukee, Toronto and Indiana. Ford was selected by Milwaukee in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft, with the eighth overall pick, after playing two seasons at the University of Texas. He enjoyed his best NBA season during the 2008-09 campaign, averaging 14.9 points, 5.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 74 games with the Indiana Pacers.

Ford enjoyed an outstanding high school and collegiate career in the state of Texas. In his final two seasons at Willowridge High School, his teams posted a 75-1 record, capturing back-to-back Texas 5A State Championships. In two seasons at the University of Texas, Ford averaged 12.9 points and 8.8 assists. During his sophomore year he was named both the Naismith and Wooden Player of the Year Award winner and earned 2003 First Team All-American honors.

T.J. Ford will sign with Spurs

After agreeing to sign a contract with the Spurs that will make him Tony Parker’s primary backup at the point guard position, former University of Texas star T.J. Ford said he was anxious to open training camp with the Spurs on Friday.

“I can’t wait to get there,” he said from his home in Houston.

Ford is expected to sign a contract for the NBA veteran minimum. With eight seasons in the NBA with Milwaukee, Toronto and Indiana, that makes the deal worth $1.266 million, which will be pro-rated for the shortened season.

Just one week removed from playing for KK Zagreb in the Euroleague, where he emigrated after the NBA locked out its players in July, Ford said he is more than ready for the start of Spurs camp.

— Reported by Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News (Blog)