Here are some NBA Notes from the second week in August:
Carmelo Anthony is now officially a member of the Houston Rockets. Anthony was expected to join the Rockets for weeks, but made the signing official on Monday afternoon. The Rockets signed Anthony to a one-year 2.4 million dollar deal, reuniting Anthony with his former coach Mike D’Antoni. Anthony will join fellow All-Stars James Harden and Chris Paul on a Rockets team that was one win away from reaching the 2018 NBA Finals. Anthony, 34, will also receive $24.5 million from the Atlanta Hawks as part of his 2018-19 salary. The Hawks waived the former All-Star forward on July 30 after acquiring him from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The addition of Anthony will give the Rockets another capable scorer as they try to get past the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference. It is unclear what role Anthony will have with Houston, but he has previously stated that he will not come off of the bench.
Isaiah Thomas Mocks Cleveland, Apologizes
Isaiah Thomas came under fire recently after mocking Cleveland on an Instagram post. The Denver Nuggets guard quickly apologized for the comment, in which he stated that he could see why LeBron left the city, and team again. Thomas struggled in his brief time with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being dealt to them by the Boston Celtics last summer. He didn’t appear in a game until January 2nd as he was trying to recover from hip surgery. Thomas averaged just 14.7 points per game with the Cavaliers after scoring more than 28 points a game for the Celtics the previous season. Cleveland dealt Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 8th, and Thomas finished out the season in LA. He signed a deal with the Denver Nuggets as a free agent last month.
Michael Porter Jr. Has Second Back Surgery
The Denver Nuggets selected Michael Porter Jr. with the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after he fell due to concerns with his injured back. Porter Jr. recently underwent a second back surgery and says he is “pain-free” as a result. The Nuggets hope that Porter is able to be on the court for them in the early part of the 2018-19 NBA season. Porter was projected as the top pick in the NBA Draft, but back issues derailed his one collegiate season at Missouri. He underwent surgery in November of 2017 after appearing in just one game with the Tigers. Porter returned late in the season to help Missouri reach the NCAA Tournament before falling in the opening round.
Bruce Bowen Out As Clippers Analyst
The Los Angeles Clippers are expecting to part ways with Bruce Bowen after he made critical remarks about Kawhi Leonard. Bowen was working with the Clippers as a television analyst for their broadcasts, but his contract will not be renewed according to sources. Bowen worked for Fox Sports West, but the Clippers have a role in renewing those contracts, and were expected to decline his contract for the upcoming season. Bowen is a three-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, and was critical of Leonard’s actions at the end of his Spurs run. Bowen’s number 12 jersey is also retired by the San Antonio organization. Leonard is expected to enter free agency at the conclusion of the 2018-19 NBA season, and the Clippers are expected to bid for his services. Bowen declined to comment when reached by the media on Monday.
Stephen Curry Donates Money To Golfer
Stephen Curry and his wife are donating 25,000 dollars to Web.com golfer Scott Harrington and his wife. Harrington’s wife Jenn was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the second time, and Curry is using funds from his GoFundMe page to help out. Curry, is well known for his golf game and participated in the Web.com Tours Ellie Mae Classic over the weekend. Curry posted a one over par 71 in the opening round on Thursday, before failing miserably in the second round. The Golden State Warriors star shot a 16-over 86 on Friday that pushed him to 17-over for the weekend and missing the cut at TPC Stonebrae. Curry finished the event in last place, 33 strokes behind the champion, Alex Prugh.
