'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 54

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/InsideHoops?utm_camp ... rce=follow

Atlanta Hawks waive centers Garret Siler and Courtney Sims and guard Mario West

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/InsideHoops?utm_camp ... rce=follow

New Orleans Hornets waive center Earl Barron and guard Larry Owens

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/InsideHoops?utm_camp ... rce=follow

Detroit Pistons waive forward Maceo Baston

[nasty daddy]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 78422.html

Rockets release two guards in first preseason cuts
Romel Beck, left, was one of two players released by the Rockets on Wednesday.

Both played limited minutes in the preseason and showed enough in practices that they were kept on the roster heading into the last week before the regular season.

Not including Brent Barry, who will be dealt or released before the season, the Rockets must still make one cut to have the roster at 15 players by Monday’s deadline.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... pe_up.html

New York Knicks tell center Eddy Curry to shape up and lose some weight before he can return to team
Curry, the team's out-of-shape center who was banished from practicing with his teammates two weeks ago, must meet a certain weight before he will be allowed to rejoin the Knicks. According to a source close to the team, Garden Chairman James Dolan was involved in the decision to keep Curry away from the Knicks until he improved his conditioning.

Curry does not practice with his teammates or attend preseason games. It is unlikely that he will accompany the Knicks to their Oct. 28 season opener in Miami. Curry suffered a leg injury on the first day of training camp, and the club claimed that he would be out three days.

But Knicks president Donnie Walsh later said that Curry wasn't fit enough to practice. Walsh said the plan to ban Curry had nothing to do with the center's weight, which now appears to be a way for the Knicks to protect him.

[nasty daddy]

http://newsok.com/thunder-notebook/article/3410775

Collison trying to regain his rhythm
Nick Collison said his left ankle still isn't 100 percent but is gradually improving and getting to the point he can do more. Collison played in both Monday's and Tuesday's games and said his conditioning is better than he expected.

"It's hard for me to push off and react to stuff," Collison said. "If I can run in a straight line I'm pretty good. I don't really feel pain it's just the timing and reaction that I don't have yet. The frustrating part of coming back from an injury is it takes time to get that stuff back."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.phillyburbs.com/opinions/blo ... owman.html

Sixers waive Christmas, Bowman
The Sixers released former Temple standout Dionte Christmas and free agent Brandon Bowman on Wednesday, trimming the roster to 13.

Christmas was not selected in this past June’s draft following a four-year career at Temple. In four games for the Sixers this preseason, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game. Christmas also played for the Sixers/Nets entry in the Orlando Summer League back in July.

Bowman has played both overseas and in the NBA Developmental League since going undrafted out of Georgetown University in 2006. He appeared in four preseason games for the Sixers, averaging 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 8.5 minutes.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/othe ... 6296.story

Wade iffy tonight
Despite practicing the past two days, Wade remains uncertain whether he will play in tonight's exhibition against visiting Memphis. He bruised his left calf during Thursday's exhibition victory over New Orleans. "I have to see how it feels," he said. "I would love to play limited minutes. There's just soreness there." ...

Also uncertain is Beasley, who sustained thumb and shoulder injuries over the weekend during practice. MRIs on each ailment came back negative.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/othe ... 6296.story

Roster reduction
The Heat reduced its roster to 16, one above the regular-season maximum, by waiving forward Anthony Tolliver. Rosters must be trimmed to 15 by 6 p.m. Monday.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4907

Adonal Foyle has right knee surgery
Orlando Magic center Adonal Foyle has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. His return to action will depend on how he responds to treatment.

Foyle has not played in any of Orlando’s preseason outings. He appeared in 10 games last season with both the Magic and Memphis, averaging 1.7 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 6.2 minpg. Foyle was traded to Memphis as part of the three-team deal that sent Rafer Alston to Orlando on Feb. 19, later waived by Memphis on Mar. 1, then re-signed by Orlando on Mar. 23. Originally selected by Golden State in the first round (eighth overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft, Foyle (6’10”, 270, 3/9/75) has appeared in 733 regular season games during his 12-year NBA career with Golden State, Orlando and Memphis, averaging 4.1 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 1.63 blkpg. in 17.8 minpg. Foyle is Golden State’s all-time franchise leader in blocked shots with 1,140.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Foyle, 34, likely wouldn’t see much playing time with the Magic even when healthy. Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat are ahead of him on the depth chart at center, and Brandon Bass can play the position also if necessary.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4904

Knicks banish Eddy Curry until he gets in shape
New York Knicks center Eddy Curry was once considered a good young talent and a solid inside offensive force. Now he’s simply a huge, out-of-shape, financial burden who can’t help the team.Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports:

Curry, the team’s out-of-shape center who was banished from practicing with his teammates two weeks ago, must meet a certain weight before he will be allowed to rejoin the Knicks. According to a source close to the team, Garden Chairman James Dolan was involved in the decision to keep Curry away from the Knicks until he improved his conditioning. Curry does not practice with his teammates or attend preseason games. It is unlikely that he will accompany the Knicks to their Oct. 28 season opener in Miami. Curry suffered a leg injury on the first day of training camp, and the club claimed that he would be out three days. But Knicks president Donnie Walsh later said that Curry wasn’t fit enough to practice. Walsh said the plan to ban Curry had nothing to do with the center’s weight, which now appears to be a way for the Knicks to protect him.

The Knicks still want to trade Curry and free up more future salary cap space.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4901

Mavericks trade Nathan Jawai to Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has acquired 6-10 forward Nathan Jawai and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a conditional second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The pick is protected through the 55th draft position. “Nathan is a young project who likely will add depth to our roster at his position,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operation. “We were contemplating this trade prior to Kevin Love’s hand injury, so this move is not intended to replace Kevin in the short term by any means. That would not be fair to Nathan. Rather, this move provided us an opportunity to work with a young player with size, and later determine if he could be a fit for us.”

Jawai, a native of Sydney, Australia, was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 41st overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, and was subsequently traded to Toronto as part of the deal that sent Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors. Jawai appeared in six games during his rookie season, playing a total of 19 minutes. He also appeared in 14 games for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA D-League, averaging 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 52.6 percent from the field.

Prior to entering the NBA Draft, Jawai played one season in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), where he averaged 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Cairns Taipans. Jawai was the 2007-08 NBL Rookie of the Year, the 2007 NBL All-Star Game MVP and earned All-NBL Second Team honors.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4903

Detroit Shock will move to Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Detroit Shock will relocate to Tulsa, Okla., and will be owned by a group of investors led by Oklahoma businessmen Bill Cameron and David Box, WNBA President Donna Orender announced today. The sale and move are pending WNBA Board of Governors approval. Nolan Richardson will become the team’s general manager and head coach. “We are thrilled to have a team in Tulsa with such a strong championship pedigree, and we look forward to continuing the tradition of success that has been its hallmark,” said Cameron, lead investor and chairman of Tulsa Pro Hoops, LLC. “We are confident this team will make Tulsa proud, both on the court and in the community.”

Cameron is the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors of American Fidelity Assurance Co., one of the nation’s largest private, family-owned life and health insurance companies. Box is founder of The Box Talent Agency, the largest talent agency in Oklahoma. “The WNBA congratulates Bill and David,” said Orender. “We are confident that with their business acumen, passion for the game and commitment to the community, the team will achieve great things in Tulsa. At the same time, we are grateful to the Davidson family, the Pistons organization and the great fans in Detroit for helping us grow the game of women’s basketball.” “This decision was one of the toughest we have ever made; it was not reached easily,” said Tom Wilson, President, Palace Sports and Entertainment. “The Shock has been a true force in the WNBA, but the fact of the matter is that the economic realities have caused us to make this decision. We deeply appreciate what the Shock have meant to Detroit and want to publicly thank the players, coaches and the entire organization for their class, commitment and championships. They represented Detroit well and we are delighted that they have found a new and exciting home in Tulsa. We are sure the fans in Tulsa will quickly embrace these dedicated players.”

During the Shock’s tenure in Detroit, the team appeared in four WNBA Finals, capturing three championships (2003, 2006 and 2008). This past season, the team finished 18-16 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Richardson, former head coach of the men’s programs at the University of Arkansas and the University of Tulsa, guided both schools to championships. At Arkansas, he led the Razorbacks to the NCAA title in 1994 and a national runner-up finish the following season. Prior to that, Richardson took the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to the National Invitation Tournament title in 1981. He won more than 500 games at Tulsa and Arkansas.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... ce-jerseys

Michigan-based Amway to sponsor Magic practice jerseys
The Orlando Magic are taking advantage of a new NBA rule allowing companies to purchase space on the jerseys players wear in practice.

The Magic announced Wednesday they have partnered with Amway. The Ada, Mich.-based direct selling company will have its logo on the upper-right side of the team's practice jerseys. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is the first season NBA teams were granted clearance to have a sponsorship presence on their practice jerseys.

Amway was founded in 1959 by Magic owner Rich DeVos and his friend, Jay Van Andel. Orlando's arena has the company's name, and it will also be on its new arena opening next season.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/n ... id=4583207

Bulls' Rose feeling better; eyes opener
Bulls guard Derrick Rose began doing cutting drills on Wednesday and said he expects to play in the regular-season opener on Oct. 29. "I'll be playing, no doubt in my mind, I want to play," Rose said Wednesday when asked if he'll face the San Antonio Spurs. "The trainers have been saying I'm looking good, running better every day."It's a little sore, but I'll be fine."

Rose hasn't played or practiced since a Oct. 2 game against the Indiana Pacers because of an inflamed tendon in his right ankle. "He worked out yesterday a little bit and was a little sore, and today he worked out and felt better," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "So that's a good sign. So we'll see how sore he is tomorrow and try to get him another workout and just try to build it up and be smart about it."

Rose said he could even play in a preseason game Friday, but Del Negro said he doesn't expect that to happen. "It's feeling better," Rose said. "I was running a little bit more ... today was the first time doing cuts, and it felt good, so hopefully I'll be all right. "The tendon in my ankle has fluid around it. That's why it's hurting. It's not on the bone or anything. It's going away slowly. Each day I'm getting better at what I'm doing."

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... don_d.html

Video: Trailer for Ben Gordon documentary, A Scorer's Aura
Via Detroit Bad Boys, the trailer for the Ben Gordon documentary, A Scorer's Aura. It looks like a must-see.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop

Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News "Maceo Baston's memories of European basketball were triggered by watching Sunday's outburst in New York involving Maccabi (Israel) Electra Tel Aviv coach Pini Gershon. After earning his second technical foul in an exhibition game against the Knicks, Gershon refused to leave the court. It took a rabbi attending the game, an NBA official, and referees about 10 minutes to convince Gershon to leave the court. Baston, incidentally, played for Gershon at Maccabi. He wasn't surprised by Gershon's antics. 'That's just him, he loves to be part of the show,' Baston said. 'He's a good guy. He wants to be part of it all. One time during a middle of a game, he started dancing. He really did.' Baston has spent the better part of six seasons in Europe and doesn't regret it. 'I played on three championship teams, played in some of the best basketball of my career, and it was fun,' Baston said. 'The fans love the game over there.' "

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/chadfordinsider

Blazers strike a deal with LaMarcus Aldridge on a 5 year, $65 mil deal. Goes to $70 mil with hard to reach bonuses. Link coming ...

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/YahooSportsNBA

LaMarcus Aldridge and Portland agree to five year extension, Y! Sports has learned. Link: http://tinyurl.com/yfwxhrs

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14101

Replacing Raja: Charlotte Bobcats shooting guard Raja Bell - the team's starter and one of the better two-guard defenders in the league - could miss four months after the team announced he had ligament damage in his left wrist. Bell is currently seeking a second opinion on the diagnosis before having surgery, just to be sure he has all the info he needs to make the decision. "It's a (decision) I won't take lightly. I've only had six or seven hours to digest [the latest diagnosis]", Bell told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. "I know I've got a responsibility to the Bobcats."

With Bell out, the Bobcats suddenly have a hold to fill at the shooting guard spot. Who starts? Who fills in behind? Second-year guard – and normally the backup point guard – D.J. Augustin started at that spot last night, scoring 15 points to go with three assists and two steals. The game before that Augustin poured in 29 points off the bench. Perhaps scoring won't be the problem. Rookie Gerald Henderson, a first-round pick out of Duke, is third on the team in scoring in the preseason at 9.3 points a game while shooting 48% from the field. The Cats also have Ronald Murray who can play either guard position, though he has played only two preseason games with shin issues.

The thing is, Felton is the only true point guard of the group. Augustin is a good passer but also the best and most consistent scorer of the group, so it makes sense both players start. Both Murray (when healthy) and Henderson should see plenty of minutes, but there could be a very good chance we rarely see both Felton and Augustin getting a rest at the same time. Starting the pair of point guards probably gives the Cats the best chance to win games, but it makes the rotation that much more confusing for Coach Larry Brown.