Rockets waive Pops Mensah-Bonsu

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced Friday, November 13 that the team has waived forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu (MEN-sa BON-sue).

“Pops did a great job while he was here with us at the Rockets,” said Morey. “This move is only being done to give us some roster flexibility in case of an injury or a potential call up from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. With the way Coach Adelman currently has the rotation set up, this will also allow Pops an opportunity to explore options for more playing time.”

Mensah-Bonsu (6-9, 235, George Washington) averaged 1.3 points and 1.0 rebound in four games with the Rockets this season. He originally signed as a free agent with Houston on Sept. 3, 2009. Mensah-Bonsu also played in 34 prior NBA games with Dallas, San Antonio and Toronto.

Chris Paul sprains left ankle

John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:

Injured Hornets point guard Chris Paul did not travel with the team for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Paul severely sprained his left ankle during the third quarter in Friday’s 86-78 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at New Orleans Arena and could be sidelined for up to two weeks, though the Hornets have not given an update on his status.

NOVEMBER 16 UPDATE

An MRI performed on Hornets guard Chris Paul confirmed a left ankle sprain. He is out indefinitely. Paul will be re-evaluated on a regular basis and his status will be updated as necessary.

Paul suffered the injury with 40 seconds left in the third quarter of Friday’s game against Portland when he came down on Joel Przybilla’s ankle.

In 10 games this season, Paul is averaging 23.8 points (10th in the NBA) on 59 percent shooting (6th in the NBA), 9.2 assists (3rd in the NBA) and 1.7 steals (15th in the NBA) in 34 minutes of play. In addition, he leads the NBA in three point percentage (.655).

Knicks off to worst start ever

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

If LeBron James is crazy enough to take the leap this summer, he must realize he could join the worst team in Knicks history — Team Titanic version 3.0.

The franchise was born in 1946. Last night, the deplorable 2009-10 Knicks set the mark for worst start in franchise history. The pitiful Knicks fell to a humiliating 1-9 after another loss, 121-107, to the dysfunctional Warriors, after which they got booed leaving the Garden court.

No Knicks team has ever been as bad as 1-9 after 10 games. They genuinely appear on the way to post the worst record in franchise history. Afterward, coach Mike D’Antoni called his team “zombies.”

Even if LeBron James doesn’t come in 2010, the Knicks objective — to clear the roster out and start the team anew — makes sense and needed to be done. So, as bad as this season looks, the team is now bad for the right reasons.

League-wide retirement of no. 23 jersey is unlikely

The AP reports:

LeBron James may persuade NBA players to give up their No. 23s, but a leaguewide retirement of Michael Jordan’s number seems unlikely.

James said on Thursday that he is considering switching his number next season and wants other players to do the same in honor of Jordan, the Hall of Famer who is often regarded as the league’s best player ever.

Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 and the NHL did the same with Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99, but that hasn’t been done in the NBA. Spokesman Tim Frank said on Saturday that ”retiring a player’s number is a decision that has been made by the teams” and not the league.

Deron Williams out due to family health issue

The following statement was issued by Deron Williams on Friday:

“I would like to thank Mrs. Miller, Greg Miller and Coach Sloan for allowing me to return to Utah to be with my wife and children today.  Yesterday, one of my daughters underwent a procedure in the hospital to address some health concerns.  There are still unanswered questions and the doctors have been running more in-depth tests throughout the day today.  My daughter’s health is very important to my wife and I and it is important I remain in Salt Lake City as we monitor the situation.  We both appreciate the support of the fans, the Jazz organization and my teammates.  I will return to the court as soon as possible.”

Rockets assign Joey Doresey to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has assigned forward/center Joey Dorsey to the team’s D-League affiliate the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

“Joey had a strong offseason and a solid training camp for us, but in continuing to focus on his development, we believe that at this point of the season the Rio Grande Valley Vipers offer him the best option for his basketball progression,” said Rockets Vice President of Player Personnel/General Manager of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Gersson Rosas. “In determining Joey’s assignment, we were also encouraged by the fact that because of our single-affiliation partnership with the Vipers, we can offer him a valued opportunity to develop on a more active basis in terms of his ability to play. We know that Joey will be in good hands with Head Coach Chris Finch and his staff, as well as having all the resources necessary for him to be productive during his time in the D-League. This is one of the primary reasons for our single-affiliation partnership and we look forward to reaping the benefits of it through these development opportunities.”

Dorsey (6-8, 268, Memphis), who has yet to see game action with the Rockets this season, averaged 9.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in seven games (five starts) with Rio Grande Valley in 2008-09.

LeBron James may change jersey number

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

LeBron James may change jersey number

Basking in the glow of a victory over the Heat, Cavs superstar LeBron James looked over at his idol sitting in the stands at AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday night and made a command decision.

Out of respect to Michael Jordan, who sat courtside and watched James score 34 points, James said he is planning on switching his number after this season from No. 23 to No. 6. It just sort of came out, but it was obvious he’s been thinking about it for a while.

And James wants to lead a movement to get every player who wears No. 23 in the league to give it up as a tribute to Jordan.

It sounds like LeBron is still merely thinking of doing it, so it isn’t guaranteed to happen. And as for the move, I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m as big a Jordan fan as anyone else, and I definitely think of Jordan when I hear “23,” but years more of LeBron would also make me think of him, too. And I’m not sure that would diminish any aspect of Michael Jordan. It would just diminish the number.

Thing is, I’ve never been a big jersey number guy. Others care about it more. So to me it’s no huge deal.

And, of course, LeBron switching numbers would also result in a lot more new jersey sales. But let’s not think about that right now.

Don Nelson, Monta Ellis argue in practice

Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (via blog):

Warriors coach Don Nelson stormed out and a red-faced, frustrated Monta Ellis couldn’t be consoled by teammates. So ended Thursday’s practice in New York City.

As the players cooled down from a practice at the Reebok Sports Club and prepared for the bus ride to the London hotel, Ellis called Nelson over to the bench.

Sitting between Stephen Jackson and Acie Law, Ellis asked, “Coach, why do I get blamed for everything?”

Then, the coach and player had this heated dialogue:

Nelson: “What have I ever blamed you for?”

Ellis: “For everything. Everything. People not knowing their plays. I didn’t do this. I didn’t do that.”

The two best Warriors players are Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis, and both are very unhappy with coach Don Nelson. Jackson wants off the team, for sure. Ellis hasn’t demanded a trade but would probably most likely be happier elsewhere. I wonder if firing Nelson would solve these problems or if issues would linger. Probably the latter.

Raptors release Quincy Douby

Raptors release Quincy Douby

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have released guard Quincy Douby.  Douby had been on the inactive list since October 28 and did not appear in any regular season games. He averaged 3.0 points, 1.7 assists and 10.5 minutes in six preseason outings.

Douby joined the Raptors on March 24, 2009 when he signed a 10-day contract. He appeared in seven games with the Raptors in the 2008-09 season, averaging 4.4 points, 1.0 assists and 10.4 minutes. The four-year NBA veteran has averaged 4.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 10.7 minutes in 143 games.

Al Jefferson out two games with personal matter

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that center Al Jefferson has left the team to tend to a family member’s illness in Florida. Jefferson will miss the next two Wolves games – Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Dallas and Saturday, Nov. 14 at Memphis. He will re-join the team early next week.

This season, Jefferson in nine games is averaging 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.44 steals per game and is shooting just 43.0% from the field. He’s not quite himself yet and still coming back after being injured.