NBA Rumors and News for October 4, 2013

Friday, October 4

Daily Trivia: Derrick Rose turns 25 today. When Rose was 18, he won the “Mr. Basketball” title for what state?

Royce White stays home as Sixers travel to Europe
Posted at 07:38 PM ET
Royce White’s troubles may have started with the Sixers before even getting to play a game with them. As the Philadelphia 76ers travel to Europe to play against some of the top teams from overseas, White was visibly missing from the flight. He suffers from an anxiety disorder which affects his ability to fly. Many speculated the anxiety disorder caused White to have a poor season with the Houston Rockets last year. He planned to make the flight but the team “gave him a pass,” according to Bob Cooney of the Daily News. “It really was just based on our team doctor giving me and [general manager] Sam [Hinkie] and the club advice that it may be best for him to remain at home,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said of White’s absence. “You know we are with him. We will support and help him.”

Joakim Noah suffers groin injury
Posted at 03:30 PM ET
Joakim Noah will be out several preseason games for Chicago with a groin injury. The injury occurred when Noah slipped on a wet spot while practicing several days ago. There’s no timetable set on his return but it’s said not to be overly serious. The Bulls play there first preseason game Saturday against the Pacers which marks the return of Derrick Rose.

Jason Kidd suspended two games for driving impaired
Updated at 11:28 PM ET – Posted at 11:14 PM ET
Brooklyn Nets’ head coach Jason Kidd has been suspended two games for pleading guilty to driving while impaired, the NBA announced today. Kidd was hired by the Nets this offseason after retiring from basketball just one month before. He’s never coached an NBA game and will have to sit out as Lawrence Frank leads the team during his absence. Kidd was arrested on July 15, 2012 in Southampton, New York after his vehicle struck a telephone pole. Kidd will miss the Nets season opener on Oct. 30 in Cleveland and Nov. 1 home-opener against Miami, his debut is now pushed to Nov. 3 in Orlando. In a statement, Nets general manager said, “The decision is consistent with what the league has done in the past and we look forward to Jason leading our team versus Orlando and the rest of the year.”

Warriors’ say they were closer to signing Howard than people realized
Posted at 06:50 AM ET
Dwight Howard put the entire NBA world on hold for a period of 10 days this summer when he turned up the search for his next team. After meetings with the Hawks, Rockets, Mavericks, Lakers and Warriors, Howard ultimately decided Red Nation and signed with the Rockets. It’s been assumed the only two teams that even had a shot of landing Howard were the Rockets and Lakers, leaving Atlanta, Dallas and Golden State in the dust. However, Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob said that wasn’t the case, and his team was in the running to land the All-Star big man. “We were a lot closer than people realize to perhaps that actually happening, (Howard) coming here. I think that is a testament to what is happening here. He was affected by the presentation that he saw by our ownership and our management.” In an with Sean Deveney of The Sporting News Lacob added his well wishes for the new Rocket, “Good luck in Houston, Mr. Howard. And I am sure he will help that team, they will be better.”