Tracy McGrady returns to practice

tracy mcgrady

You remember Tracy McGrady, right? He was pretty awesome for quite a while, but has recently been written off as an afterthought.

T-Mac faces a long road back, and it’s not likely he’ll ever be as good as he once was, but the first step in recovering is actually being out on the court. So, yeah. He’s out there. Playing basketball and stuff.

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

The court was dropped down in the middle of the McAllen Convention Center, a make-shift training camp venue far removed in so many ways from the arenas and tests of the NBA to come. It was, however, a start.

Perhaps the setting was fitting, a reminder of how far Tracy McGrady still must go. But for the first time since microfracture surgery last spring, McGrady practiced with the Rockets on Sunday. He went through a few stints of the scrimmage, moving well and without pain in a small, but significant step in his comeback bid.

His first participation in training camp did not alter his schedule. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said it was “part of the process.” The Rockets still expect McGrady to be out at least until an MRI scheduled for Nov. 23. Still, he played and all reports were that he played well.

Without Yao Ming this season, Houston isn’t expected to accomplish much. And it’s not realistic to expect T-Mac to be a one-man wrecking crew. But under coach Rick Adelman the Rockets play great total team basketball, so always expect them to do a bit better than predicted.

Brandan Wright to have left shoulder surgery

Golden State Warriors forward Brandan Wright underwent an MRI today, which did confirm damage to the capsule of his left shoulder, the team announced.  Surgery is required, but no timetable has been set.  A timetable for his rehabilitation and recovery will be established following the surgery.

Wright, who turns 22-years-old tomorrow (October 5), suffered the injury during practice on the evening of Friday, October 2.  A 6-9 forward, Wright appeared in 39 games last season, averaging 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per contest.  He missed 41 games due to injury or illness in 2008-09, including 37 games due to injury or pain in his left shoulder.  Overall in two NBA seasons, the University of North Carolina product has appeared in 77 games, averaging 6.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 13.8 minutes per contest.

Javaris Crittenton out 2+ weeks

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports: Javaris Crittenton didn’t know what to expect when he had an MRI on Friday, but he knew that the pain in his left foot had become so unbearable that he couldn’t push through any longer. After arguably his best practice this week, Crittenton was shut down for the final minutes of practice. And, after the MRI revealed what he already knew — that he had a double bone bruise and a strained tendon — Crittenton had to accept that he would be out of action for at least two weeks.

The Post continues: “It’s frustrating,” said Crittenton, who originally hurt himself playing in the Atlanta Pro Am league in late July. “I wanted to come out because it’s training camp and we got a lot of guards. We got to compete. But it’s one of those injuries, you’ve got to give it time and let it heal, because if you keep playing on it, it could be a potential surgery or it keeps nagging you throughout the season, then I can’t play. I decided to sit it out and let it heal.”

Michael Redd returns to the hardwood

michael redd

Remember Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Michael Redd? He’s fallen off the map recently but looks to remind everyone that he still exists.

The team has not accomplished much recently and in 2009-10 could take another step backward — unless Redd is his old shooting star self again.

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports:

Michael Redd stepped back on the Bradley Center floor Saturday for the first time since Jan. 24, when he crumpled to the court after tearing ligaments in his left knee.

The occasion was only an intrasquad scrimmage for the Milwaukee Bucks, not a real game.

But it still was a huge step for Redd, who scored 18 points while showing little rust as the Bucks players performed for an enthusiastic crowd of 5,864.

“I was a little nervous, to be honest with you,” Redd said. “I felt comfortable and just played. I’m a little sore right now, which is natural, but I felt good playing again.”

Aside from watching rookie point guard Brandon Jennings, it’s worth keeping an eye on Redd to see if he looks up to carrying a team.

Brandan Wright hurts shoulder

Brandan Wright hurts shoulder

The AP reports: Golden State Warriors forward Brandan Wright injured his shooting shoulder during practice Friday and could miss extended time. The team says Wright will undergo an MRI exam Monday to further determine the severity of the injury.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Wright played just 38 games as a rookie in 2007-08. And 39 games last season, though in 17.6 minutes he put up a respectable 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds. His injury issues are almost getting scary, though.

Oct 2: Bulls 104, Pacers 95

The AP reports: Rookie Taj Gibson had 19 points and nine rebounds to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers 104-95 on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams. Derrick Rose added 17 points, and Luol Deng and John Salmons had 15 each for the Bulls. Danny Granger led the Pacers with 27 points in 26 minutes. Luther Head scored 14 points, and Brandon Rush scored all 13 of his points in the second half for Indiana. Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas left the game in the third quarter because of a concussion.

Bill Walker has right knee surgery

The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Bill Walker underwent successful right knee arthroscopic surgery today at the New England Baptist Hospital.

Walker sustained a meniscus tear on the first day of training camp.

Surgery was performed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon and assisted by John Rand, PAC. No timetable has been set for his return.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Walker’s had about 29,500 knee surgeries in his basketball playing days. Yet he maintains crazy hops.

Spanish-speaking OKC Thunder fans get full home coverage

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced today that the team will broadcast all 41 home games in Spanish language on both radio and television.

For the second straight season, the radio network will include Spanish language broadcasts on WKY 930 in Oklahoma City. Spanish language television broadcasts of the Thunder’s home games can be seen by selecting the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) option on your television.

“Bringing the Spanish broadcasts to the community on radio and TV through the use of the secondary audio is another important step for the Thunder to connect with our fans through all possible platforms,” said Ken Adelson, Thunder Senior Vice President and Executive Producer.

Veteran announcer Eleno Ornelas will be back as the Thunder’s Spanish language play-by-play voice for the second straight season. Ornelas brings a wealth of professional play-by-play experience in several different leagues. He currently serves as the coordinator of Spanish broadcasting for Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers. He is the play-by-play announcer for all Rangers home and away Spanish radio broadcasts on KFLC 1270 AM. In addition, he contributes to the Rangers Hispanic marketing and community initiatives in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

“It’s going to be great to be back in Oklahoma City again this season,” Ornelas said. “The Ford Center was a loud and exciting arena last year, and I can’t wait to be a part of it again. I’m happy to be able to provide the NBA in Spanish to Thunder fans listening and watching all over the state of Oklahoma. I’m sure the Hispanic community will show up at the Ford Center again this year to support the Thunder.”

Ornelas joined the Rangers’ Spanish radio broadcast team in 2000 and did both play-by-play and analysis, working with Edgar Lopez, before becoming the full-time play-by-play announcer in 2003. Prior to joining the Rangers full-time, he worked in the sports department for 1270 AM.

The Juarez, Mexico native began his broadcasting career in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at KRVA Radio in Dallas before joining KESS-AM in 1998. In addition to the Rangers, Ornelas was the play-by-play announcer for the Dallas Mavericks and has covered the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Burn soccer team during his tenure with 1270 AM.

Oct 1: Jazz 103, Nuggets 87

The AP reports: C.J. Miles and Deron Williams scored 16 points apiece and the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 103-87 on Thursday night in an uneventful debut for replacement referees in the NBA preseason… Williams also had six assists in 21 minutes, Miles was 5 for 7 from the field and Mehmet Okur had 10 points and seven rebounds for the Jazz. Anthony led the Nuggets with 13 points.

Andre Miller fails Trail Blazers conditioning test

Jason Quick of The Oregonian reports: Andre Miller was the only player with a guaranteed contract who didn’t pass the Trail Blazers conditioning test on Tuesday night, while Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Greg Oden recorded notable times. In each of his five training camps, coach Nate McMillan holds a conditioning test that requires players to run the length of the court and back five times, or in other words, 10 lines. They have to do this in four different sets. Guards are allowed 61 seconds to do 10 lines, forwards 64 seconds and centers 65 seconds. Players are allowed to “bank” time in each set, meaning if they finish under the designated time for one set, it carries over to the next sets.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Miller isn’t especially quick or fast. He also can’t make outside shots. Yet he’s been a successful NBA point guard. That’s pretty unique. He’s like a rich man’s Anthony Carter.