JaVale McGee a wildcard for Mavericks

JaVale McGee a wildcard for Mavericks

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on new Mavs center JaVale McGee, whose ability to contribute to the team in the near future is unknown:

JaVale McGee a wildcard for Mavericks

The 7-footer who has been plagued by leg problems the last two seasons has always been a little bit of an “out there” kind of person. He’s made lots of highlight reels, but often times for the wrong reasons, such as passing the ball to nobody on the other end of the court.

He’s been a blooper-reel editor’s best friend.

But at 27, he’s still a very young center who has more athleticism than the rest of the Mavericks’ center hopefuls put together. If he ever gets healthy – and that’s admittedly a big if – and if he can stay focused on the court, he’s got oodles of talent and could be a starting center for years to come.

But he’s a long way from that right now. He hasn’t been cleared to do any real basketball work, other than take some jump shots and his ballhandling.

He’s played just 28 games the last two seasons and if he makes the Mavericks’ roster – something that everybody expects – he’s probably not going to be ready to contribute until the regular season has already begun.

Early report: Paul Pierce fitting in with Clippers

Early report: Paul Pierce fitting in with Clippers

NBA preseason is just getting started, so it’s super early, but right off the bat the Clippers have reasons for optimism. Here’s the Orange County Register reporting:

Early report: Paul Pierce fitting in with Clippers

Even though it was his first start as a Clipper and even though he was joining a starting group that was one of the NBA’s best, Pierce had few problems fitting in during the Clippers’ preseason opener.

That was especially evident on a possession in the second half, where the Clippers zipped the ball around the perimeter, finding Pierce open in the corner for a 3-point shot.

“That’s what we’ve got to kind of emphasize,” Pierce said. “When you have the weapons that we have, we don’t care who gets the shot, who gets the credit, it’s tough to guard. These guys make the extra pass when it’s there; everyone is being selfless. Those are the teams usually standing at the end of the day.”

Pierce, 37, is able to fit so seamlessly partly because of his smarts, partly because of his 17 years of NBA experience and partly because a huge chunk of that experience came while playing for Doc Rivers.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffers dislocated right shoulder

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffers dislocated right shoulder

Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a dislocated right shoulder in Saturday’s preseason contest at Orlando. The injury occurred with 46 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Kidd-Gilchrist was taken to Florida Hospital South for x-rays and additional evaluation. X-rays taken at the hospital were negative. He will remain in Orlando overnight and is out for Sunday’s game at Miami. Kidd-Gilchrist will be further evaluated by Hornets team physicians in Charlotte on Monday. An update on his status will be provided when available.

Kings exercise 2016-17 contract option on Ben McLemore

Kings exercise 2016-17 contract option on Ben McLemore

The Sacramento Kings announced today they have picked up the 2016-17 option on guard Ben McLemore’s contract, according to Kings Vice President and General Manager Vlade Divac.

Entering his third NBA campaign, the 6-5 guard averaged 12.1 points (.437 FG%, .358 3pt%, .813 FT%), 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 32.6 minutes per contest in starting all 82 games he played in last season.

Clippers waive Nikoloz Tskitishvili

The L.A. Clippers announced today the team has waived free agent forward/center Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

Tskitishvili did not appear in a preseason game for the Clippers. The former fifth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, Tskitishvili has appeared in 172 career games (16 starts) for Denver, Golden State, Minnesota and Phoenix averaging 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.3 minutes of play. The Tbilisi, Georgian native has played in Spain, Italy, Iran, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates post-NBA. The 32-year old played for Champville of the Lebanese Basketball League last season.

Jordan Clarkson and D`Angelo Russell developing chemistry

Jordan Clarkson and D`Angelo Russell developing chemistry

Here’s ESPN Los Angeles with an early look at chemistry development between key members of the Lakers’ future:

Part of the reason the two players seem to mesh well is that they believe their skill sets complement each other more than they overlap.

“His mentality is more [to] score,” Russell said. “I’m looking to pass, and he’s in a position to score most of the time.”

Said Clarkson: “We’re two totally different players. He’s an excellent passer and I’m real aggressive and it just kind of comes together.”

The players also come together outside of basketball.

“We hang [out] a lot off the court,” Clarkson said, “so it kind of makes it easy on the court.”

“We just relate to each other,” Russell said. “He’s not one of those real serious vets that you can’t crack a smile around. He’s a young dude, second year, still learning, still growing. Me, the same way. I’m a goofy guy, he’s a goofy guy. So we kind of complement each other.”

On how Kosta Koufos will help the Kings

Here’s the Sacramento Bee providing insight on a key Kings big man:

On how Kosta Koufos will help the Kings

One player whom coach George Karl has raved about during training camp says he can help the Kings’ offense without scoring or making an assist.

Kosta Koufos says a good screen can be just as important as finding an open shooter, which he learned by dedication to his craft.

“Patience, experience and just being efficient – those little things (translate) to big things.” Koufos said after Friday’s practice at UC San Diego. “If you’re rolling to the basket and you’re not getting the ball, you’re still getting other guys open on the wings. Little things like that carry over in the long run.”

Koufos wasn’t Sacramento’s flashiest free-agent signing during the offseason. The 7-foot, 265-pound center enters his eighth season averaging 5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. But Koufos’ patience in refining his game could prove to be exactly what the Kings need. His presence on offense could allow DeMarcus Cousins more freedom to play away from the basket.

2015-16 preseason begins with Clippers win

Clippers win 2015-16 NBA preseason opener

DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 12 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets 103-96 on Friday night in the first game of the NBA preseason.

Jordan scored 12 points in the first half on 5-for-6 shooting, including three dunks.

The Clippers spoiled Nuggets coach Michael Malone’s debut.

Nuggets: Joffrey Lauvergne scored 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting and had 11 rebounds in a reserve role. Rookie Emmanuel Mudiay missed eight of his first 11 shots and finished with 14 points.

— Associated Press

Bucks to use alternate court design this season

Now this is interesting. An alternate home court to go with an alternate jersey. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

Bucks to use alternate court this season

The Milwaukee Bucks gave their fans the chance to buy something new, as the team announced at its Fan Fest Saturday that it will sell a four-game ticket package where the team not only will wear a new alternate jersey but will play on a completely new alternate basketball court.

“The idea has always been to take the fan experience to the next level,” said the Bucks vice president of marketing Dustin Godsey. “We rebranded with the alternate uniforms, but other teams have done that.”

No NBA team has ever played on a different surface in its home arena within the same season.