Kyrie Irving has his four wisdom teeth removed

Kyrie Irving

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving underwent successful oral surgery to remove his wisdom teeth (four) Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated daily and will return to court activity and play when cleared to do so in relation to his continued recovery process. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson was cleared to resume practice today. Gibson was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol process on Monday when he reported systems.

Cavaliers forward Luke Harangody continues to progress in the recovery process from his right knee sprain and participated in a partial practice today, while also continuing treatment. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Kyrie Irving has his four wisdom teeth removed

Kyrie Irving

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving underwent successful oral surgery to remove his wisdom teeth (four) Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated daily and will return to court activity and play when cleared to do so in relation to his continued recovery process. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson was cleared to resume practice today. Gibson was placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol process on Monday when he reported systems.

Cavaliers forward Luke Harangody continues to progress in the recovery process from his right knee sprain and participated in a partial practice today, while also continuing treatment. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Spurs CEO Peter Holt elected Chairman of NBA Board of Governors

NBA Commissioner David Stern today announced that Spurs Sports and Entertainment Chairman and CEO Peter Holt has been elected Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors.

Holt replaces Minnesota Timberwolves majority owner Glen Taylor, who has served as Chairman since October 2008. Holt has been a member of the Board of Governors for 16 years and currently serves on five of the Board’s standing committees, including chairing the Audit & Compensation Committee and the Labor Relations Committee.

“Glen Taylor’s wisdom and counsel over the past four years have been invaluable,” Stern said. “Peter Holt’s extensive Board experience and committee leadership make him an ideal choice to succeed Glen. I thank Glen for his dedicated service and commend the Board of Governors on its laudable selection of Peter as chairman.”

Entering his 17th season as Chairman and CEO of the Spurs, Holt has overseen one of the most successful franchises in team sports. During Holt’s tenure, the Spurs have captured four NBA championships and have won 50-plus games in 14 consecutive seasons dating back to 1999-2000.

Holt spearheaded a successful campaign for a new arena, which opened in 2002, and two new San Antonio-based sports franchises. Thanks in part to the AT&T Center, Spurs Sports and Entertainment runs four professional sports franchises: the Spurs, the WNBA’s Silver Stars, the NBA Development League’s Austin Toros and the American Hockey League’s Rampage.

Additionally, Holt serves as the CEO of San Antonio-based HOLT CAT, the largest Caterpillar dealership in the United States. He was named to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2004.

Having spent his childhood in both San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Holt served two years in the U.S. Army during which time he earned a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart from his one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.

NBA Board of Governors approves sale of Memphis Grizzlies

The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the Memphis Grizzlies to an investor group led by Robert Pera.

“We are delighted that the NBA’s Board of Governors has approved Robert Pera’s purchase of the Grizzlies,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Robert will no doubt bring great energy and passion to the franchise. He has assembled an ownership group with very strong local ties, and we anticipate that their commitment to the Memphis area will greatly benefit both the team and the community.”

The league’s approval is subject to the final close of the transaction which is expected to take place shortly.  Until the transaction closes, all parties to the transaction have agreed to continue to abide by the terms of their confidentiality agreements.

Pera is the founder and CEO of Ubiquiti Networks, a publicly-traded next-generation communications technology company.

Dallas Mavericks have indefinitely suspended guard Delonte West

delonte west

Guard Delonte West has personal issues, and once in a while those issues rise up and work against his ability to be a professional member of the NBA world. And, it’s happened again.

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have indefinitely suspended West.

“We have suspended Delonte for conduct detrimental to the team,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “The suspension is effective immediately and no other statements will be issued.”

West has played in all seven games for the Mavericks this preseason and is averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, “When reached by ESPNDallas.com on Thursday morning, West said he was being blamed for an argument between teammates after the Mavs’ 88-76 exhibition loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in Wichita, Kan. He said he got a text Thursday morning telling him not to come to the American Airlines Center for practice. “There was an argument between two teammates in the locker room last night that didn’t involve me,” said West, who had two points, one assist and three turnovers in 21 minutes against the Thunder. “Somehow I’m being blamed for it. I had nothing to do with it. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Sixers exercise 4th-year option on Evan Turner

Evan Turner

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they exercised the fourth-year option on swingman Evan Turner.

Turner (6-7, 220) was originally the second overall pick by the Sixers in the 2010 NBA draft.  As a junior at Ohio State, he became the first Division I player to average at least 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a single season since Oscar Robertson did so in back-to-back seasons in 1958-59 and 1959-60.

In 143 career games with 34 starts for the Sixers, Turner has averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.  As a starter last season, he averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists.  Turner led all NBA guards in total rebounds in 2011-12.

Denver Nuggets waive guards Anthony Carter, Ben Uzoh

anthony carter

The Denver Nuggets have waived G Anthony Carter and G Ben Uzoh, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. The moves bring Denver’s roster to the NBA-maximum 15 players.

Carter, 6-1, 190, averaged 4.3 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in three preseason games with the Nuggets.

Uzoh, 6-3, 205, appeared in one preseason game for Denver; he scored two points and handed out three assists in 20 minutes against the Golden State Warriors.

Lakers target extraordinary season with Howard and Nash

Dwight Howard

With 16 NBA Championship banners hanging proudly from the rafters at their Staples Center home, Los Angeles Lakers players and their fans have become well accustomed to glittering success and lofty expectations.

Going into their 2012-13 campaign, however, there is a much greater sense of excitement and anticipation than usual given the offseason acquisitions of six-time All-Star Dwight Howard and twice former Most Valuable Player Steve Nash.

Howard and Nash will join Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace in a potent starting five bristling with experience, talent and virtually every award and accolade available in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Add to that intoxicating mix the Lakers’ new Princeton offense which emphasizes constant motion, passing and back-door cuts and you have the recipe for what could well be an extraordinary season for the Los Angeles franchise.

— Reported by Mark Lamport-Stokes of Reuters

Andrew Bynum ailing, unable to practice with 76ers

Andrew Bynum ailing, unable to practice with 76ers

On Monday, Bynum received a previously scheduled injection of Synvisc-One in both knees. It is a natural substance that lubricates and cushions the joints and is believed to provide up to six months of protection. It is not related to the platelet therapy. Bynum also plans to get another injection at the all-star break.

Bynum agreed with the team that he shouldn’t return until the pain is gone.

“The doctors and team are all cautious,” Bynum said. “We want to avoid any type of setback. I will be evaluated and am being reevaluated, and I will be all right.”

Bynum said his right knee doesn’t hurt when he walks, but it does when he takes part in stressful activity. Still, he is confident his knee will eventually be pain-free.

— Reported by Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer