Basketball Blog

Houston Rockets five-time All-Star center Yao Ming has teamed up with two-time NBA MVP guard Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns to host a charity basketball game in Beijing, China on Saturday, Sept. 15. The Yao/Nash Charity Gala event will feature an exhibition game between a team of NBA players led by Nash and the Chinese National Team led by Yao.

“This event means a lot to me,” said Yao. “This is a busy time for all NBA players as they prepare for the upcoming season and I am very grateful to all of the players who have committed to help Steve and me with this project. We hope this event will make a big difference in the lives of many needy children in China.”

Proceeds from the event will go to several causes selected by Yao and Nash, including China Youth Development Foundation to build schools and pay the tuition of mentally challenged and poor students in China’s poverty-stricken western regions.

The Rockets organization has supported Yao’s efforts by sending General Manager Daryl Morey to the event and through a monetary donation that is the maximum amount allowed by the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.

“The Rockets organization is extremely proud of the work Yao is doing in China,” said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander. “Yao is one of the truly genuine role models in sports who understands both his professional and social responsibility. This charity game will be televised throughout all of China and the money raised will make a real difference in the lives of many deserving children.”

In addition to Nash, other NBA players expected to participate include: guards Baron Davis (Golden State Warriors), Leandro Barbosa and DJ Strawberry (Phoenix Suns); forwards Chuck Hayes (Houston Rockets), Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Amir Johnson (Detroit Pistons) and Alando Tucker (Phoenix Suns); and Los Angeles Clippers center Paul Davis.

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have suspended second-year forward Shawne Williams three games for failing to adhere to standards of behavior expected by the team. The three-game suspension will be served for the Pacers’ first three games of the regular season against Washington, Oct. 31, Miami, Nov. 2, and Memphis, Nov. 3.

Williams and two occupants of his vehicle were arrested Tuesday morning by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police during a traffic stop. While formal charges have not been brought, the Pacers are disciplining Williams based on their rules and regulations pertaining to conduct of their players.

“We are making it clear to our players and our fans that this franchise is going in a different direction,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “Shawne put himself in a position that placed the franchise in a poor light. He’s a good kid who made a bad decision. Our franchise is in a position now where the responsibilities, conduct and standards of the players off the court weigh as heavily as they do on the court.”

An exploratory arthroscopic surgery performed on Greg Oden today revealed cartilage damage to the Portland Trail Blazers rookie¹s right knee.  Oden is likely to miss the 2007-08 NBA season.

“Greg had an arthroscopy and a micro fracture surgery today,” said team physician Dr. Don Roberts, who preformed the surgery. “He was found to have articular cartilage damage in his right knee.  The area of injury was not large and we were able to treat it with micro fracture, which stimulates the growth of cartilage. There are things about this that are positive for Greg.
First of all he is young.  The area where the damage was is small and the rest of his knee looked normal. All those are good signs for a complete recovery from micro fracture surgery.”

Oden is expected to be on crutches for up to eight weeks.  Recovery time from micro fracture surgery varies from person to person, but generally takes between six and 12 months for full recovery.

“Certainly this is a setback, but our future is still incredibly bright,” said Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard. “Is it disappointing?
Yes.  However, this is a great core of talent and players of strong character and will continue to be.”

Oden, the #1 pick in June¹s NBA Draft, averaged 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds for Ohio State last season, leading the Buckeyes to the NCAA national championship game as a freshman.

“We know this discouraging news for all of our fans, however, the people of Portland are very enthusiastic and compassionate about their Trail Blazers and I know they will stand behind Greg and the team during his recovery,” said Trail Blazers President Larry Miller.  “We believe our fans and sponsors are going to continue to support us because they know we¹re headed in the right direction.”

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have hired Eric Hughes as their basketball development consultant. He will be responsible for assisting the players with the development of their on-court skills.

Hughes, 42, has worked since 2002 as the director of summer player development for Goodwin Sports Management in Seattle, creating workout programs and training NBA players Jamal Crawford, Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Dwight Howard, Gary Payton, Nate Robinson and Rodney Stuckey. He has also been the head coach at Spokane Community College in Spokane, Washington during that time. He has compiled an 88-61 (.590) mark in his five seasons, leading the Bigfoot’s to the Eastern Region championship in 2005 and 2006. He was named Eastern Region Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006.

Hughes also served as an assistant coach under current Atlanta Hawks assistant Bob Bender at the University of Washington from 1993-2002, as an assistant at the University of California from 1991-93, and as a graduate assistant at Illinois State from 1989-91.

Philadelphia 76ers President Billy King announced today that the Sixers have signed free-agent center Calvin Booth. Per team policy, terms of the contract are not disclosed.

Approaching his ninth NBA season, the 6-foot-11 Booth has averaged 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.03 blocks in 327 games played with 83 starts.  For his career, he has shot 45.3% (458-1,110) from the floor and 75.3% (232-308) from the foul line while also averaging 3.85 blocks per 48 minutes played.  In 2000-01, he led the NBA with 5.71 blocks per 48 minutes played.

Booth was originally selected by Washington with the 35th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.  He has also spent time with the Dallas Mavericks, Seattle Supersonics and the Milwaukee Bucks before re-joining the Wizards in 2005-06.  Last season, Booth appeared in 44 games with one start, averaging 1.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.6 minutes per game.

One of the most successful players in Penn State basketball history, Booth was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1997-98.  He finished his collegiate career as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in blocked shots and was the first player in conference history to lead a statistical category for four straight seasons.

The Nets will hold an audition for their in-game Master of Ceremonies (MC) position for the 2007-08 season on Wednesday, September 19 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at City Center (STUDIO 5), 130 West 56th St. between 6th and 7th Avenues in Manhattan.

Auditions are open to men and women 21 years old and over. All contestants will be required to read from a script provided by the Nets.

The selected MC will work at all Nets home games and represent the team at events throughout the metropolitan area.

“We’re looking for a high-energy personality, who demonstrates great timing, a take-charge ability and the skill to guide the entertainment experience at Nets games,” said Petra Pope, the Vice President of Entertainment and Event Marketing. “As we do with all of our entertainment teams, we want the best of the best.”

Those interested in auditioning who need more information should call T.J. Roche, 201-635-3416.

Philadelphia 76ers President Billy King announced today that the team has signed rookies Derrick Byars and Herbert Hill.  Per team policy, terms of the contract are not disclosed.

A 6-7 swingman from Vanderbilt, Byars was chosen by Portland with the 42nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.  The Sixers acquired his rights on draft night in exchange for the rights to Petteri Koponen (30th overall pick) and cash considerations.

As a senior, Byars averaged 17.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.41 steals while helping Vanderbilt advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2007 NCAA Tournament.  He was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by the coaches and received Honorable Mention All-America honors by The Associated Press.  Over his final two seasons, Byars knocked down 142 three-pointers on 40.0% shooting.

Following his senior season at Providence, Hill was selected with the 55th overall pick by Utah in the 2007 NBA Draft.  The Sixers acquired the 6-10 post player in exchange for the draft rights to Kyrylo Fesenko (38th overall pick) and future draft considerations.

Hill enjoyed a breakout season with the Friars in 2006-07 and was named All-Big East First Team and Big East Most Improved Player.  After averaging 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.93 blocks as a junior, he averaged 18.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.94 blocks his senior season.  Hill shot 61.4% from the floor during his collegiate career and 78.6% in 10 combined games for the Sixers this past July in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and the Rocky Mountain Revue.

In recognition of Dwyane Wade’s outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic work, the NBA has honored the Miami HEAT guard with the Community Assist Award for August.

Despite his busy summer working his way back from knee and shoulder surgery, Wade hosted seven community outreach initiatives, five of which were part of “A Week of Wade’s World in South Florida,” during the month of August.

“I just think I’m a person who has an opportunity to let his voice be heard and help people,” said Wade. “Right now, people want to listen to what I have to say. Why not use it to make a difference, especially with kids.”

Partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to sick and terminally ill children, Wade fulfilled the wishes of five kids whose dream was to meet the 2006 NBA Finals MVP. The children and their parents had lunch with Wade, which was followed by one-on-one time on the basketball court at the University of Miami.

In early August, Wade joined his mother, Jolinda Wade, as she led a Wade family community effort to donate shoes, clothes, computers and household items to Ford Heights and Chicago-area residents. Wade also sponsored fifty children, courtesy of the Wade’s World Foundation and the Urban League of Broward County, at the inaugural Topps Basketball Camp in Fort Lauderdale, FL. where he instructed over 300 youth on basketball fundamentals.

In addition, Wade supported 30 local children from North Miami with a $300 back to school shopping spree for school supplies. Wade also joined the American Red Cross to surprise students at the Miami Springs Recreation Center Pool as part of the HEAT “Learn to Swim” community swim safety campaign.

At the Overtown Youth Center, which was established by his HEAT teammate Alonzo Mourning, Wade joined the D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) program with 150 elementary, middle and high school students, hosting daily reading sessions. He also visited Miami Northwestern Senior High School to support fellow teammate Udonis Haslem in his back-to-school charity basketball game, where hundreds of school supplies and promotional items were distributed to kids.

As the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award, Wade will receive the David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.” In addition to the plaque, a $5,000 donation will be given to the Wade’s World Foundation on Wade’s behalf.

The league presents the NBA Community Assist Award monthly to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.

Seattle SuperSonics General Manager Sam Presti today announced Paul Rivers as the Director of Basketball Technology

“We are excited to welcome Paul to the Sonics front office,” Presti said. “Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to our overall operations and will help accelerate our personnel systems with his creativity.”

Rivers comes to the Sonics after spending the last two seasons as the video coordinator for the Detroit Pistons. Before joining the Pistons, Rivers spent the 2004-05 season with the San Antonio Spurs as video coordinator. He began his front office basketball career at Michigan State where he worked under head coach Tom Izzo in the video department.

Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today that rookie center Greg Oden will undergo exploratory arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday after experiencing pain in his right knee. Trail Blazers team physician Dr. Don Roberts will perform the surgery at Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) taken last week showed Oden may have some cartilage problems in the knee.

A timetable for Oden’s return will be set following the arthroscopic surgery.