The AP reports: O.J. Mayo, the third overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in last month’s draft, made the most spectacular shot of his career Monday night at the NBA Summer League. Mayo converted a desperation three-quarters court shot from 69 feet to beat the first-quarter buzzer against San Antonio. Mayo, who shot it with both hands from straight away, rattled it through the rim. “I thought it wasn’t going to make it to the rim,” Mayo said. “I was surprised. After practices recently, we have been practicing half-court shots. I made a few there, and now I made one in a game.”
Yao Ming on court soon
Reuters reports: China’s Yao Ming is likely to play his first competitive game since having surgery on his foot in March at this week’s Stankovic Cup pre-Beijing Olympic basketball tournament, local media reported on Tuesday. The 7ft-6in (2.28m) Houston Rockets centre, whose NBA season was ended by a stress fracture, returned to China to join the national squad for training last month but played no part in two warm-up games against Australia in Jiangsu.
Luke Walton to have right ankle surgery
Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton will undergo surgery Friday to remove bone spurs from his right ankle, it was announced today.
The surgery will be performed in Los Angeles by Dr. David Thordarson.
An update, with an estimate for Walton’s recovery time, will be issued following the surgery.
Magic get Anthony Johnson
The Magic, who probably won’t be able to re-sign Keyon Dooling, have signed Anthony Johnson.
Although some say he looks like a turtle, Johnson is a smart veteran backup. He probably has a few tricks to teach Jameer Nelson, who he will play backup to.
Jazz and Deron Williams aim for extension soon
The Salt Lake Tribune (Ross Siler) reports: The agent for Jazz guard Deron Williams said Monday he has continued having conversations with general manager Kevin O’Connor and is still hopeful to reach agreement on a contract extension by the end of the week. “I think that’s still everyone’s objective,” agent Bob McClaren said, “and I’m certainly not discouraged by the process at all.” Williams has said he would like to finalize an extension before he leaves either Saturday or Sunday for USA Basketball training camp in Las Vegas. Williams will travel from there to Beijing for the Olympics. McClaren said he has talked “several times every day” with O’Connor since the two met Wednesday and that no additional meeting had been scheduled.
Two more execs leave Spurs
The San Antonio Express-News (Travis E. Poling) reports: Two more executives have left Spurs Sports & Entertainment, a month after the sudden departure of Executive Vice President Russ Bookbinder. The moves are part of an ongoing shake-up of the Spurs’ front office that could have more repercussions later this summer. Bruce Guthrie, Spurs vice president, and Paula Winslow, vice president of human resources, left the organization that includes the NBA franchise, the WNBA Silver Stars, hockey’s Rampage and the management of the AT&T Center.
Rockets release Loren Woods
The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: The Rockets agreed to release center Loren Woods from his contract on Monday, then signed this season’s first-round pick Donte’ Greene before their first game in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League on Monday. Woods, who had been signed late last season to a partially-guaranteed contract for next season, had been receiving interest from several European teams and asked for his release. The Rockets had been considering him as a potential backup for Yao Ming, particularly if they are unable to sign free agent Dikembe Mutombo.
Greece wins Olympic qualifier
The AP reports: Greece had an easy time before a home crowd Monday and was joined by winners Croatia, New Zealand and Slovenia in a 12-nation basketball tournament that serves as a qualifier for the Beijing Olympics. Greece routed Lebanon 119-62; Croatia defeated Cameroon 93-79; New Zealand downed Cape Verde 77-50; and Slovenia beat South Korea 88-76. The other countries bidding for the three remaining Olympic berths are: Brazil, Canada, Germany and Puerto Rico. The Athens tournament ends Sunday. Nine nations have already qualified for next month’s Beijing Games: Angola, Argentina, Australia, China, Iran, Lithuania, Russia, Spain and the United States.
Artest doesn’t want to be a Nugget
The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports: “I cannot play in Denver because they question my drive to finish my career off strong and not embarrass my family,” Artest wrote Sunday night. “Any player wants to win a championship is low risk.” So what’s that all about? I can’t remember anybody on the Nuggets criticizing Artest. So Artest was sent another e-mail on Monday asking who on the Nuggets might have spoken ill of him. The e-mail also asked if his thinking means he won’t consider Denver when he becomes a free agent next summer. Artest’s answer wasn’t specific. But he’s definitely down on playing for the Nuggets.
Rodney White goes to Israel
Euroleague.net reports: Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv added another new face in preparation for the upcoming season with the signing of forward Rodney White for two seasons. White (206, 28) will thicken the front line of Euroleague runner-up that already includes Marcus Fizer, Esteban Batista, Lior Eliyahu and Yaniv Green.