NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog – Page 1300 – NBA Blog: The NBA basketball news blog section of Inside Hoops

Chauncey Billups is back on the Detroit Pistons

Apparently you can go home again, sometimes.

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent guard Chauncey Billups.

“We are pleased to announce Chauncey Billups’ return to the Pistons organization,” said Dumars. “Chauncey played an integral part in the success of the franchise from 2002-2008. His playmaking ability and experience will provide depth in the back court while his leadership and commitment to winning will help our club.”

Billups is at the end of his career, but would still be able to provide deep bench depth for a championship-contending team. But on the Pistons — who are nowhere near even thinking about winning an NBA championship, Billups can act as a player-coach and provide leadership and help various young players improve their games.

Billups, 36, has NBA career averages of 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 31.9 minutes in 1,024 games (930 starts) with the L.A. Clippers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. The 15-year veteran is a five-time NBA All-Star, ranks fourth in NBA history for three-pointers made (1,816) and is the seventh active NBA player to reach 5,000 assists. He is one of only 31 players (four active) in NBA history to score over 14,000 points and distribute more than 5,000 assists. Billups has played in 146 career playoff games (143 starts) during 12 trips to the NBA playoffs and averaged 17.3 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 36.4 minutes per game. He won the NBA’s inaugural Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award this past June, which recognizes the NBA player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to his team.

Billups’ six-year career in Detroit is highlighted by back-to-back Eastern Conference Championships and two NBA Finals appearances in 2004 and 2005. He was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player during the Pistons NBA Championship season in 2003-04 when he averaged 21.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists in five games vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. The Denver, CO native was named an NBA All-Star three times with Detroit, All-NBA Second Team (2006), All-NBA Third Team (2007) and All-NBA Defensive Second Team (2005, 2006). In 463 games with the Pistons, Billups averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game.

Miami Heat waive Mike Miller via amnesty provision

Thanks for the memories, but the Miami Heat are ready to move on.

The Heat announced today that they have waived forward Mike Miller per the NBA’s Amnesty provision.

“After many discussions internally and a sincere effort to explore the trade market, we made a very difficult decision to use our Amnesty provision on Mike Miller,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “Mike had an incredible impact on the Miami Heat; helping us to three finals appearances and winning back-to-back World Championships. This was a very difficult decision for me personally, the Arison family, Erik and the entire Miami Heat organization. Mike was one of the best we have ever had here, and will be sorely missed. We wish Mike, his wife Jennifer and their family nothing but the best.”

Miller appeared in 59 regular season games (17 starts) with the Heat last season, averaging 4.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 15.3 minutes. He has appeared in 831 regular season games (549 starts) during his 13-year NBA career.

Although older and more banged up these days, Miller still has game left, and should be able to find plenty of low-level offers as a backup from teams across the league.

Philadelphia 76ers claim James Anderson and Tim Ohlbrecht off waivers

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have claimed swingman James Anderson and center Tim Ohlbrecht off waivers. Both players were waived by Houston on July 15.

Anderson (6-6, 215) was originally the 20th overall pick by San Antonio in the 2010 NBA Draft. In three NBA seasons with the Spurs and Rockets, Anderson has appeared in 116 games with six starts, averaging 3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 11.1 minutes per game.

This past season, Anderson was a member of Atlanta’s training camp and preseason roster before being waived prior to the start of the regular season. After a brief stint with the Rio Grande Vipers in the D-League, Anderson signed with the Spurs on Nov. 21 and appeared in 10 games before being waived on Dec. 20. The 24-year-old returned to the Vipers before being signed by the Rockets for the remainder of the season on Jan. 2.

As a junior at Oklahoma State in 2009-10, Anderson ranked sixth in the nation in scoring with 22.3 points per game and was named the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year. He started 99 of a possible 101 games during his collegiate career and never missed a game.

Ohlbrecht (6-11, 255) was not selected in the 2010 NBA Draft. The native of Germany has several years of experience playing professionally in the German Bundesliga and has been of member of the German National Team since 2008.

This past season, Ohlbrecht joined Rio Grande Valley in the D-League and averaged 13.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.63 blocks and 1.13 steals in 26.6 minutes per game while shooting 60.5% from the floor and 81.1% from the line. The 24-year-old was named to the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game and posted a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Ohlbrecht was called up by the Rockets on Feb. 25 and appeared in three games. He returned to the Vipers for the D-League playoffs and helped lead the team to the championship.

Denver Nuggets name Arturas Karnisovas Assistant GM

The Denver Nuggets have named Arturas Karnisovas as assistant general manager, general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Karnisovas (pronounced Car-NISH-O-Vas) joins the Nuggets after five years with the Houston Rockets, where he most recently was the director of scouting. He started with the Rockets as an international scout in 2008 after spending more than four years working in basketball operations at the NBA’s league office.

Karnisovas, 42, will assist Connelly and team president Josh Kroenke with day-to-day operations related to scouting and player personnel matters.

“Arturas has a diverse and impressive background as a player, a scout and an executive,” Connelly said. “His global connections are just part of what he adds to our franchise. His basketball knowledge is off the charts, and his experience with Houston and the league office will be invaluable as we work to improve our team.”

Knicks sign Metta World Peace

New York Knickerbockers Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has signed forward Metta World Peace. According to the New York Times, it is a two-year deal for $3.25 million, with the second year a player option.

“Metta is a fierce competitor who brings toughness and championship experience to our roster,” Grunwald said. “We are excited to bring him back to New York and give him a chance to play for the team he grew up rooting for.”

World Peace, 6-7, 260-pounds, holds career averages of 14.1 points, on 41.7-percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.85 steals over 33.6 minutes in 902 games (832 starts) over 14 seasons with Chicago, Indiana, Sacramento, Houston and the L.A. Lakers. He was waived by the Lakers on Jul. 12, after averaging 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.63 steals over 75 games (66 starts).

He was a member of the 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, and holds career post-season averages of 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.54 steals over 85 games (all starts). He is a two-time All-NBA Defensive First Team selection (2004, 2006) and two-time Second Team selection (2003, 2009). He appeared in the 2004 All-Star game, the same year he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and earned an All-NBA Third Team selection.

Born in Queens, NY as Ron Artest, World Peace starred at La Salle Academy and then at St. John’s University. In 1999, he helped lead the Red Storm to the NCAA Elite Eight and was selected by the Bulls with the 16th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.

Rajon Rondo says he would never play for the Miami Heat

In a difficult off-season for the Boston Celtics that saw the team trade away veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and part ways with coach Doc Rivers, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Amid all the speculation surrounding Rajon Rondo’s future with the Celtics, the Celtics point guard wanted to make one thing perfectly clear.

“I will never play for the Miami Heat,” Rondo said at his basketball camp in Kentucky on whether he would ever take his talents to South Beach.

Reported by Campbell Abbott of the New York Daily News

Yes, Derrick Rose should be ready for next season

The wait for Chicago Bulls star guard Derrick Rose to return dragged on and on last season. And then never actually happened. But unless something goes wrong, look for D-Rose to be an actual basketball player again in 2013-14.

As soon as Derrick Rose made the strategic, long-term decision to sit out all of last season after left knee surgery, the plan shifted to next season.

And that plan, for now, is for the Bulls to use training camp and exhibition games to ease Rose back. And then, barring an unforeseen setback, it’s all systems go for the yet-to-be-announced season opener.

“The benefit is the additional months that he has had to prepare for next season,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “But that also adds to the time in which he hasn’t played.

“There’s nothing you can do to simulate the intensity of an NBA game. Even the preseason isn’t quite what the regular season is. He needs to get his timing back. So it will be a step-by-step process (in the preseason). We won’t know until he gets out there. But he’s healthy.”

Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Hopefully Rose is still as athletic and explosive as he was before. He may not be right away, but if all goes well he’ll look like himself as time goes on.

Wizards and John Wall begin extension talks

The Wizards have begun talking with John Wall’s agent, Dan Fegan, regarding an extension before the regular season, CSN Washington has learned.

Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, is eligible for up to a four-year, max contract with the Wizards in addition to the final year remaining on his deal that will pay him $7.45 million next season. If he’s named the franchise’s designated player, Wall can get five years.

If the Wizards cannot reach an agreement with him by Oct. 30, talks will have to be tabled until after the 2013-14 regular season.

Reported by J. Michael of CSN Washington

Dwight Howard says it was tough to play with Kobe Bryant

“Was it tough playing with Kobe?” Howard said in a recent interview with ESPN. “Yeah, it was very tough. But playing along with Kobe didn’t have any parts in my decision going to Houston. I just felt like going to Houston was a better situation for me in my career.”

Howard believes Rockets coach Kevin McHale will feature him in a larger offensive role in the post than Mike D’Antoni would. He believes James Harden will play with more efficiency and better health than Steve Nash would. Howard believes it will be easier leading a team lacking with championship tradition than playing on a team steeped with it but Bryant still controlling the agenda.

“Me and Kobe, we had our disagreements and we had our moments,” Howard said. “Everbody knows Kobe likes to score. There were times we would get at it about getting the ball. That happens as a team. But my focus cannot be on Kobe in what he did. I have to look at myself and say I allowed that situation to happen. I could get those balls and do whatever I want because I’m capable of doing it. I can’t blame anybody else for things I’ve done on the court. I would have to own up to it.”

Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog)

Chris Copeland feels blessed to join Pacers

Chris Copeland waited longer than most for the big NBA money, overcoming personal tragedy and logging several years playing overseas to do it.

The newest member of the Indiana Pacers promises fans will hear him use one word over and over during the upcoming season because of that.

“Blessed,” he said. “You’re going to hear it all year. I look up every day and thank God that I’m here.”

The Pacers confirmed Copeland’s signing over the weekend after he agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract July 5. He traveled to Indianapolis on Monday and met the media at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

“He’s a great addition to our team because he’s a guy that can come in off the bench and create his own shot or get into the paint,” Pacers President Larry Bird said in a statement. “He’s a good guy and a great competitor and we’re happy to have him join us.”

Reported by Michael Pointer of the Indianapolis Star