BasketBall Connect

The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired forward Steve Novak from the Houston Rockets, Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor announced. In return, Houston will have the option to exchange second round picks with the Clippers in 2011.

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has signed second round draft choice Walter Sharpe.

The NBA today released its complete game schedule and broadcast schedules of ABC, TNT, ESPN and NBA on ESPN Radio for the 2008-09 season. The NBA's Countdown to Tip-Off 08 presented by Kia Motors has begun with opening night 83 days away. The 2008-09 season tips off on TNT, which marks Turner Sports' 25th season of NBA game action, with a doubleheader on Tuesday, Oct. 28, that features the Boston Celtics opening up defense of their NBA championship by hosting 2007-08 NBA scoring champion LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8 p.m. ET. The second game features the first regular season game for the top overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft presented by Sprite Greg Oden and the Portland Trail Blazers as they visit reigning MVP presented by Kia Motors Kobe Bryant and the 2008 NBA Finals runner-up Los Angeles Lakers at 10:30 p.m. ET. TNT's coverage of the Cavaliers-Celtics game will also feature the championship ring ceremony for the Celtics beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

NBA.com's John Schuhmann is with USA Basketball, which landed in Beijing on Wednesday. John has notes on the journey from Shanghai and answers your mail in his latest blog post.

After a decade in the NBA, Earl Boykins has joined the growing legion of veteran role players unable to resist the lure of European riches. Boykins' Cleveland-based agent, Mark Termini, announced Tuesday that Boykins has signed a one-year contract with Italy's Virtus Bologna. The deal, according to Termini, is worth more than $3.5 million for the 2008-09 season, which would make the 5-foot-5 guard Italy's highest-paid player.

The Miami Heat announced Tuesday that they have claimed forward Bobby Jones off waivers. Jones, a 6'7”, 215-pound forward, appeared in 47 NBA games (two starts) last season with five different teams, including Miami.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar, in partnership with the Peres Center for Peace, is hosting basketball clinics for Israeli and Palestinian children in Israel from throughout the week.

NBA.com's John Schuhmann is in Shanghai with USA Basketball and has notes and quotes from Tuesday's win over Australia, including Chris Paul teaching Kobe Bryant a lesson in turning the corner.

NBA.com's John Schuhmann reports from Shanghai: Beating Australia by just 11 was not the way the U.S. Men's Senior National Team wanted to conclude their pre-Olympic exhibition schedule.

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team exercised its team option on the contracts of guards Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo. Both contracts are now extended through the 2009-10 NBA season. "We are pleased to have both Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo signed through the 2009-10 season,"said Dumars. "Both players will continue to grow and mature within our system and we look forward to the contributions they will bring this season and beyond."

In the PHILLIPINE INQUIRER, the Agence France-Presse reports "defending champions Argentina are looking to their quartet of NBA stars to help inspire a second successive Olympics basketball gold. Manu Ginobili, of the San Antonio Spurs, Luis Scola, a teammate of China's Yao Ming at the Houston Rockets, and Chicago Bulls' Andres Nocioni all star in the American league but the Spurs' Fabricio Oberto could be key. Oberto, 33, who made an impact at the Athens Games on offense, is now an uncompromising defensive and rebound force with the Spurs. ‘I need to play with the team. They are all expecting that I get back to my old role and they are helping me by passing me the ball,' said Oberto who has shrugged off a leg injury which sidelined him for 10 days.”

In the SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL, Ira Winderman writes "at 26, just now approaching the prime of his NBA career, seemingly injury free for the first time in years, Dwyane Wade nonetheless finds himself facing last call. Young in spirit if not body, the Heat guard says these Beijing Games almost assuredly will be his final Olympics, the last chance to grab the gold that proved elusive amid a bronze finish at the 2004 Athens Games as well as at the 2006 World Championships in Tokyo. ‘You want,' he said, ‘to be part of greatness.'”

On REUTERS.COM, Alastair Himmer writes "the United States women's basketball team will have no time for niceties when they begin their quest for a fourth successive Olympic gold medal. Relegated to the bronze medal at the 2006 world championships after losing to Russia in the semi-finals, two members of the team recently demonstrated they were in no mood to settle for anything but gold in Beijing. The top-ranked Americans are defending a 25-game Olympic winning streak, and U.S. coach Anne Donovan was in a confident mood, despite the added pressure following the team's world championships flop.”

On ESPN.COM, Chad Ford writes "the great thing about the offseason is that every team can feel like a contender -- for a few short weeks anyway. A great draft pick, a savvy free agent pickup or a timely trade can change the fortunes of a franchise virtually overnight. The downside, of course, is that a bad draft pick, a free agent bolting to another team or a bungled trade can do serious damage to a team's outlook. And sometimes, a team's inaction can be the worst blow of all to a hope-filled fan base. And we've even had a few big trades. Who's improved this summer? Who's taken a step back? "

Check out Gilbert Arenas' latest blog update as he examines summer movement, his pool, his jerseys and more.

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced Monday that the team has re-signed restricted free-agent guard Lou Williams.

The Colorado 14ers basketball club announced the appointment of former Los Angeles Lakers Scout and NCAA coach Bob MacKinnon today as the new Head Coach of the 14ers.

NBA.com's John Schuhmann, who is in Shanghai with USA Basketball, has notes and quotes about the team's point guards, as well as responses to your mail.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Tarence Kinsey to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent center Kwame Brown to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.