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Camp additions: The Spurs filled out their training camp roster by signing swingman Malik Hairston and guard Brian Morrison.
Both players were on the Spurs' summer league team. The 6-foot-6 Hairston was selected in the second round of the June draft by the Phoenix Suns. He was traded to the Spurs in a deal that sent their second-round pick, guard Goran Dragic, to the Suns. Morrison, a 6-2 guard from UCLA, played last season for the Los Angeles Defenders, of the D-League.
When the Celtics open their preseason schedule against Philadelphia in Amherst, Mass., next Wednesday, the starting center could be Patrick O'Bryant, filling the role until Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) returns.
More Injured: If you want to keep track, here are some more injuries (adding to yesterday's list) to note as training camps continue:
Eric Gordon – The L.A. Clippers rookie sprained his right ankle. He will skip practice today and is day-to-day.
Jason Thompson – The Sacramento Kings rookie has a sty on his left eye, but is trying not to allow it to affect him in practices.
Leandro Barbosa – The Phoenix Suns guard isn't hurt, but he has returned to Brazil to be with his critically ill mother. There is no timetable for Barbosa's return. His mother, Ivette, is well-loved among all the Suns players and spends much of the season in Phoenix.
Luke Walton – The L.A. Lakers forward is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. He still can't cut, so is practicing but not scrimmaging.
Sun Yue – The L.A. Lakers rookie guard from China is suffering from mono. I remember my own bout of mono back in high school – not fun.
Eddy Curry – The New York Knicks center may miss all of training camp with a bacterial infection he came down with on Monday. Considering there were already questions about his conditioning and fitting in with the new offense, that only puts him further behind.
Danilo Galinari – Steve Kyler updated on the bulging disc in the New York Knicks' rookie's back this morning.
Eric Snow – The Cleveland Cavaliers guard may be done. The team filed for a disability exception for him, and his contract may be picked up by insurance completely next Feb 22nd, one year after he last played.
Mike Dunleavy, Jr. – The Indiana Pacers swingman has tendinitis in his right knee and is not participating in practices. It started after some pickup games and hasn't gone away. Dunleavy puts his knee at about 75%.
Caron Butler – The Washington Wizards All-Star is being careful, not participating in all parts of practice to save his body. After playing in only 58 games last year, he wants to be ready for the entire season.
Michael Beasley – The Miami HEAT rookie strained a groin muscle on Monday, but is expected to back in the mix today.
Nathan Jawai – The Toronto Raptors big man from Australia is being held out pending future cardiac testing.
Rasheed Wallace – Detroit Pistons: One of the most underrated players in the NBA, Wallace's versatility from the center position is remarkable. Yes, 'Sheed racks up plenty of technicals, but he also stuffs the stat sheet. Last season Wallace was one of just four players in the NBA to average at least 1 steal, 1 block, and 1 three-pointer made per game – the other four were LeBron James, Danny Granger, Shane Battier, and Rudy Gay.
Smush Parker Has a Chance to Stick:William "Smush" Parker has had his fair share of issues over the past couple of seasons. Talk to most members of the Lakers during Parker's tenure in Los Angeles, and they'll tell you he wasn't exactly the most well liked player in the locker room. Add to that his troubles last year in Miami, and it's hard for most people to understand why the Nuggets would even think about bringing a player like Parker to camp. Well, simply put, Denver needs help at the point guard position. In addition, they would like that help to come cheap. What that leaves you with is a guy like Parker who intends on getting his career back on track. "Any negative thing that is said is going to hurt my reputation," Parker told HOOPSWORLD. "But that's water under the bridge, hopefully. This is a new start for me here in Denver, and I plan to take full advantage of it."
While not without his faults, Parker has put up relatively impressive numbers in the past. It's easy to forget this is a guy who averaged over 11 points and three assists on a pretty good ball club in Los Angeles. Moreover, his 6-foot-4 frame also makes him a potentially interesting fit next to Iverson. Sniffing around at practice today, it's clear a lot of people around the team are intrigued by what Parker could bring to the table. If Parker has a good training camp, don't be surprised if he makes the active roster when camp breaks. "Our situation is there's a possibility of one more roster spot with Melo missing the first two games (suspension) and Chucky (Atkins) and Sonny (Weems) probably missing," Karl explained. "So there's probably going to be some guys that might help us early. We've always been an eight-man rotation, but in general I'd like to play with an intensity that goes a little bit more into the depth of our team."
Parker would like to be a part of that depth Karl referred to. "I feel if I come in here, work hard, play defense -- because that's the main focus of the team this year -- I'll have a good shot of making this team," Parker said. "If I do that George Karl will find some room on his team for me. I'm just here to take advantage of my opportunity. (Karl's) system fits right under my belt. Run-and-gun, play defense and go. I'm from New York City and that's what we do." The fact Parker was the very last player off the court today after practice staying over 15 minutes longer than any other player certainly won't hurt his cause He's one to keep an eye on as training camp progresses.
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Kevin Ollie, the team announced Tuesday.
A 6-2 guard from Connecticut, the 35-year-old Ollie has played parts of 11 seasons with 10 teams, averaging 3.8 points, 2.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds, primarily in limited minutes as a reserve.
Ollie averaged 3.8 points in 51 games for the 2000-01 Philadelphia 76ers, who lost in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. However, his best statistical campaign came in 2002-03 with the Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle SuperSonics as he averaged 6.9 points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 82 contests.
Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden was held out of practice Wednesday, one day after the former top draft pick rolled his ankle in the team's training camp opener. Oden said that he "tweaked" his right ankle while attempting to push off fellow big man Joel Pryzbilla during Tuesday's practice.
But Blazers coach Nate McMillan stated that his decision to hold Oden out of Wednesday's workout was a precautionary move, claiming that Portland's franchise player is OK. "He's fine," McMillan told reporters Wednesday. "Everybody, he's fine. He's OK."
The No. 1 overall draft selection in 2007, Oden missed his entire rookie season while recovering from microfracture knee surgery. The 7-footer has downplayed the severity of his ankle injury and rode a stationary bike while the Blazers completed Tuesday's workout.
The Golden State Warriors signed point guard Dan Dickau on Wednesday as they try to fill the void left by injured starter Monta Ellis. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dickau, who spent the last month-and-a-half in Italy with Air Avellino before mutually agreeing with the club to terminate his contract, has spent six years in the NBA since being drafted 28th overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2002.
He has been traded eight times and played for six different NBA teams, most recently the Los Angeles Clippers last season. The 30-year-old Gonzaga product played in 67 games for the Clippers, including eight starts, averaging 5.3 points and 2.6 assists per game. His best season was the 2004-05 campaign, which he spent primarily with the New Orleans Hornets after an early season trade from the Dallas Mavericks. He started 46 of 71 games, averaging a career-high 12.5 points and 4.9 assists per contest.
The Warriors are looking for answers at the point guard spot after losing Baron Davis to free agency this offseason to make way for Ellis, who will miss at least the first three months of the season with a torn ankle ligament he suffered in August in moped accident. The 22-year-old guard signed a six-year, $67 million contract this summer. The Warriors also have former first-round pick Marcus Williams, who they acquired in July from the New Jersey Nets.
Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon agreed to a one-year qualifying offer he was tendered just before Wednesday's deadline. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Chicago Tribune is reporting it is worth $6.4 million.
A restricted free agent, Gordon reportedly rejected a five-year, $50 million contract extension following the 2007 season. The fifth-year guard will now be an unrestricted free agent following the 2008-09 season. "Ben is excited to be with the Bulls again this season and is looking forward to being the best teammate he can be," Gordon's agent, Raymond Brothers, agent told the paper. "And he will keep the window open to negotiate with the Bulls next summer."
The Bulls' leading scorer in each of the past three seasons, Gordon reportedly skipped practice on Wednesday, but is expected to attend Thursday's session. The third overall pick of the 2004 draft out of Connecticut, Gordon averaged 18.6 points and 3.0 assists in 72 games last season. He has career averages of 18 points and 2.9 assists in 316 games with the Bulls.
"Not being in camp doesn't feel strange at all," Robert Horry said. "I thought it would, but, honestly, it doesn't."
"I've been playing 16 years," he said, "and counting four years of playoff games, my body has told me I need more than three months of rest between seasons. I haven't felt this good for a long time, physically and mentally, too."
"I won't be filing official retirement papers any time soon, that's for sure," Horry said. "You'll probably see me on somebody's roster before the season is over."
Caron Butler sat out of practice to rest. Butler, who was limited to 58 games last season because of a series of injuries, said taking care of his body will be a priority this season.
"I'm just taking a cautious approach to it," Butler said. "We've had two-a-days and I've been coming over early every day for extra work so I don't want to bang my body up too much. I'm trying to rest my body as much as possible so I don't have to go through the same reoccurring thing again this season."
Injured swingman Mike Dunleavy spent his (first day of training camp) watching from the sideline as his teammates sprinted and worked on about "75 percent" of their defensive schemes.
Dunleavy developed tendinitis in his right knee after playing pick-up games this summer in California. He isn't sure when he will make his camp debut.
"It started getting worse and worse and it never went away," he said. "I haven't been able to get it calmed down."
Bucks guard Charlie Bell underwent ankle surgery in May and said he had made good progress during the summer months.
"It's been a slow process," Bell said. "That on top of the knee injury I had last year, and it's kind of just been a rehabbing summer. I've been trying to get my legs right, knowing that this is going to be a long year with Scott Skiles. It's going to be a little more physical season, and I'm just trying to get ready for that."
Cavs guard Eric Snow took his physical the other day, but will not be in training camp. The Cavs will need to keep him on the 15-man roster for the time being. They've filed a disability claim with the insurance company, which hasn't been resolved yet.
Also, they can't earn an injured player exception until the one-year anniversary of the last game in which he played (Feb. 22).
Eddy Curry missed yesterday's first two practices of training camp and could be out for the weeklong training camp here after being felled by a bacterial infection Monday night in the team hotel, Knicks officials said.
Using his trademark gallows humor, D'Antoni said: "It might've been lucky for him [missing practice]. He might've died otherwise. He was throwing up and everything. It's a great way to lose weight."
Forward/center Malick Badiane joined training camp Tuesday, increasing the roster to 16 players.
Memphis acquired Badiane's draft rights Feb. 21 in a three-way trade involving Houston and New Orleans. The 24-year-old Senegal native was originally selected by Houston in the second round of the 2003 draft.
Clippers rookie guard Eric Gordon sprained his right ankle at practice tonight and will sit out of practice on Wednesday. He's considered day-to-day.
We'll know more tommorrow morning just how serious the injury is, but even if it's minor, it's disappointing to see Gordon miss any practice time. Everyone in the Clippers camp seems enamored with Gordon and his potential to contribute immediately. One veteran player even used the word ``star'' when describing how good Gordon can be. And it seems like Gordon has taken the expectations on him seriously. He said after Tuesday morning's practice that he'd lost about seven or eight pounds over the summer (he now weighs around 215 pounds), because he wanted to be prepared for extended runs and the long NBA season. That's a good sign for a player who had to shut it down after just two summer league games, due to injury.
Rookie guard Sun Yue continued to feel fatigued because of mononucleosis and was not expected to appear at training camp this week. . . . Forward Luke Walton did not take part in Tuesday's scrimmages while continuing to recover from off-season ankle surgery. Walton can run in a straight line and took part in some drills Tuesday, but he is having trouble moving laterally.
With sweat soaking through his practice gear and his once-fractured right foot fully healed, Yao Ming was finally back on the Toyota Center floor Tuesday. There were weeks of work to be done, rough edges to be honed. But he was back. Freed from his surgery and rehabilitation to be the face of a franchise again, he looked around the arena and imagined himself ready to return to where he was when his season was so abruptly and shockingly ended last February.
Training camp had begun with a simple refresher walk-through. The arena was largely empty. Even preseason games were still a week away. But the disappointment and frustration of a season lost were at last gone. “I can’t wait to go,” Yao said. “I can’t wait ... for first preseason game, for first regular-season game. I want to go try out myself.” Yao again declared the condition of his foot at 100 percent, showing the familiar sense of humor that had abandoned him when a third consecutive season was interrupted by a major injury. “I feel good,” he said. “I can’t say it’s like brand new, but it’s like my foot.”
Yao has looked forward to a chance to start over since he blamed himself for the Rockets’ first-round exit last spring in Salt Lake City. As much as he cherished his experiences in the Beijing Olympics, he said Tuesday that in many ways it was valuable as preparation for the Rockets’ season to come, forcing him to prepare early and then pushing his conditioning to the point he reported 13 pounds lighter than last season and feeling far more fit than a month ago. “That was not 100 percent, I know that,” he said of his readiness for the Olympics. “I was about 70 or 80 percent in the Olympics. I tried my best. Because of my injury, I could not give them 100 percent. But in a way, the Olympics were a very good tryout for me to prepare for the Rockets’ season. If you throw this out there, probably some of the Chinese fans will not be happy, but that’s just being honest.” Still, the Rockets approach the season planning a delicate balancing act with Yao. They want him to start the season playing as well as he was when he was hurt the past two seasons, but they also plan to keep tighter reins on Yao’s celebrated work ethic to keep him fresher and perhaps even avoid injuries.
Jason Thompson relaxed into a seat inside the Kings' practice facility after the first workout of training camp. "The first part of the first day went well," the rookie said after the morning non-contact session ended and players scattered into different directions.
With a swollen left eye, Thompson appeared to have taken a hit during the action."Oh, no," he explained. "It's a sty. I look like a pirate right now. I'm trying to not let it affect me."
Thompson said the toughest part of his job right now is learning all the plays, although he said he is a fast learner."But I have to learn more than one position, like I did in college," Thompson said. "So I'm going to have to learn the three, the four and the five. It's going to be tough, but I'm going to get my playbook out and since I don't have schoolwork, that will be my schoolwork."