March 2006 Basketball Wiretap

Hawks To Kick Off Season In Philadelphia

Jul 31, 2006 8:32 PM

The NBA schedule is not set to be released until Tuesday, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is giving Hawks' fans a sneak peak at how their 2006-07 season schedule will look.

In their first five games of the season the Hawks will face 76ers star Allen Iverson on November 1, New York under Isiah Thomas in their home opener Nov. 3, Atlanta native Dwight Howard and Orlando at home Nov. 5, LeBron James in Cleveland on Nov. 7 and former Georgia Tech star Chris Bosh in Toronto on Nov. 10.

NBA champion Miami will come to Philips Arena on Nov. 18 for a Saturday night game. The Hawks won't face defending Western Conference champion Dallas until after the All-Star break, Feb. 26 in Dallas.

For the Hawks' fill schedule click 'Read'.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, NBA

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Atkins Re-Signs With Memphis

Jul 31, 2006 8:28 PM

The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Chucky Atkins for another year, the team announced Monday. Terms were not disclosed.

He came to Memphis in January from the Washington Wizards. With the Grizzlies he averaged 11.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and three assists in 43 games.

"Having him and Damon Stoudamire as experienced point guards who can mentor our younger players is invaluable to this team," team president Jerry West said in a statement.

Sports Illustrated

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA

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Miami's Williams Undergoes Successful Surgery

Jul 31, 2006 8:21 PM

The Miami Heat announced today that guard Jason Williams underwent successful surgery to repair a partial tear of his right patella tendon which caused him to miss 18 games this past season.

The 60-minute surgery was performed by HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick on July 21 at Baptist Doctors? Hospital.

After being examined today by Dr. Selesnick,  Williams has been cleared to begin the rehabilitation process. There is currently no timetable for his return to the court.

Press Release

Tags: Miami Heat, NBA

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Dirk Names U.S.A. "The Team To Beat"

Jul 31, 2006 6:00 PM

German superstar Dirk Nowitzki has labelled the United States "the team to beat" in the forthcoming FIBA World Championship in Japan.

The versatile 7-foot Mavericks forward feels the Americans' depth is their best asset, and backs them to cope even with the absence of Kobe Bryant from their squad.

"The Americans are the favorites," Nowitzki said following Germany's 95-75 win over Canada in a warmup game on Sunday. "They are really stacked. The only guy they don't have is Kobe. But they still have Dwyane Wade and LeBron (James) and plenty of other guys.

Yahoo!

Tags: Dallas Mavericks, NBA

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Chicago Signs Adrian Griffin

Jul 31, 2006 4:19 PM

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard/forward Adrian Griffin to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"We are extremely pleased to have Adrian back. We missed his presence last season and it will be great to have him on board with us again,? said Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson. ?He played well for Dallas last season and we believe he fits the direction we are heading as a team. He is also a proven leader and competitor and will be a key component of our roster.?

Press Release

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, NBA

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Bobcats Sign Second Rounder Hollins

Jul 31, 2006 3:50 PM

The Charlotte Bobcats signed center Ryan Hollins, the team's second-round draft pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.

Hollins, a starter on UCLA's NCAA Final Four team this past season, was the 50th overall selection.

"Ryan Hollins is a terrific athlete for a seven-footer and he is an intelligent player who works hard. He will have an opportunity to earn playing time with our team as he continues to develop," Bobcats General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "We are fortunate to get a player with his size and athleticism with the 50th pick."

"I have waited for this day to come for a long time. I am thrilled to be joining a first-class organization and to have the opportunity to be a part of something special," Hollins said. "This is a really talented team with a great coaching staff and I look forward to being a part of the Charlotte community and getting to know the fans."

The Charlotte Observer

Tags: Charlotte Hornets, NBA

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Bucks Officially Deal Magloire To Portland

Jul 31, 2006 3:45 PM

Jamaal Magliore is now officially the newest member of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers on Monday acquired Magloire from the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard Steve Blake, forward Brian Skinner and 7-foot-3 center Ha Seung-Jin.

Magloire, 28, has one year left on his contract worth $8.3 million and was deemed expendable when the Bucks decided to move 7-footer Andrew Bogut to center. Last October, Milwaukee acquired Magloire from the New Orleans Hornets and used Bogut, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, at power forward.

In Portland, the 6-11 Magloire will likely split time in the middle with Joel Przybilla, who was recently re-signed to a five-year contract.

"Jamaal is a talented, big body that will give us options in our frontcourt and help us be more competitive against the Western Conference big men," Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "He will be a strong addition to our ballclub and hopefully help us win more games."

"We are very excited to bring someone of Jamaal's stature to our organization," Trail Blazers president Steve Patterson said. "He made the All-Star team just two short years ago and was a big part of Milwaukee gaining a playoff spot in the East this past season. He's an excellent rebounder who gives up depth and talent up front, and you can never have too many quality bigs in the NBA."

The Bucks were shopping for a point guard after trading starter T.J. Ford to Toronto for forward Charlie Villanueva earlier in the month. Blake would likely serve as a backup to Mo Williams and allow Charlie Bell to play more time at shooting guard behind All-Star Michael Redd.

"In Steve Blake, we added a talented point guard who had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the league last season," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said. "Brian was a solid contributor to our team two years ago and, along with Ha Seung-Jin, will give us added size up front."

ESPN

Tags: Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA

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Hawks Deliver Stipulations For Pacers If They Want Harrington

Jul 31, 2006 12:32 PM

The rumored sign-and-trade deal between the Hawks and Pacers involving Al Harrington is becoming more clear as Atlanta has laid out their demands.

According to sources, the Hawks want the Pacers to part with a future first-round pick, absorb the contract of third-year center John Edwards and kick in $3 million in cash considerations, which is the maximum amount any team can add to a trade.

It's believed that the Pacers want to either scale back the quality of the draft pick or reduce the cash contribution, which is the reason that the trade has yet to be completed.

Industry sources say no one else but the Pacers are presently chasing Harrington, as officials from around the league see his return to Indiana as an inevitability.

Atlanta is expected to sign Harrington to a six-year contract worth nearly $57 million and send him to Indiana. Separate trade exceptions to add Harrington and Edwards to their payroll, without shipping any players to the Hawks, would then enable the Pacers to complete the exchange.

ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, NBA

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Nets Name Bobby Marks VP Of Basketball Operations

Jul 31, 2006 12:31 PM

The New Jersey Nets have named Bobby Marks as the team?s Vice President of Basketball Operations, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. Marks had been the Nets Director of Basketball Operations since 2000.

?Bobby is a valued member of the Nets basketball operations department,? said Thorn. ?This promotion is well earned and well deserved.?

Now in his 12th season with the organization, Marks assists Thorn and General Manager Ed Stefanski in the areas of salary cap management, team travel and the day to day business of basketball operations.

In addition to his current title, Marks also serves as Director of Player Development. In this role, Marks help provide a smooth transition for new Nets players joining the team for the first time and helps assist current players with their everyday needs.

Press Release

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Nuggets Continue Their Interest In Bonzi

Jul 31, 2006 7:50 AM

The Nuggets continue to have interest in bringing in Bonzi Wells.

The club won't be able to offer him the kind of contract he and his agent have been seeking this summer, so it is unclear whether or not he would accept a one-year pact in order to try again a year from now.

Rocky Mountain News

Tags: Denver Nuggets, NBA

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Denver's Warkentien Expected To Have 'Interim' Label Removed

Rocky Mountain News

Agent Answers Peja Trade Conspiracy Theories

Oklahoman

More Changes Expected In Indiana

Indianapolis Star

Sixers Deny Report They're Mulling Sale

Philadelphia Daily News

Pistons' Acker Signs Deal To Play In Greece

Detroit News

Wizards Eyeing Stevenson?

Washington Post

Jeffries Pleads For Wizards Not To Match

Washington Post

Evans Impressed By Denver's Moves

Denver Post

Warriors, Kings And Suns Contact Sonics On Wilcox

Seattle Times

Iverson Still Available?

Sun-Sentinel

Sixers For Sale?

Boston Globe

No Interest In Q-Rich

New York Daily News

Isiah Attempts To Make Jeffries Contract Difficult To Match

New York Daily News

Wilcox, Sonics Close To Agreement?

Seattle Times

Nene Deal Affecting Gooden Negotiations

The News Herald

Grizzlies, Atkins Nearing Agreement

Memphis Commercial-Appeal

Bucks And Blazers Reach Agreement

Journal Times

Rytas Vilnius, Maccabi Tel-Aviv Chasing Ron Mercer?

Eurobasket

Martin Works Out At Pepsi Center But Remains On The Block

Rocky Mountain News

Wizards Will Be At Luxury Tax Threshold If They Match Jeffries' Offer

New York Daily News