The return of NBA games that count also brought the return of The Bernucca List, which made its 2012-13 debut last week. It took just under three hours before reader Brian delivered the correct answer, which was “Players who were waived after being acquired in trades this offseason.” Five of the players on the list were waived by Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, who added to the list following the James Harden trade by waiving five more players – Jon Brockman, Gary
In all, seven players from the 2009 draft class received contract extensions, with three – DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday and Taj Gibson – going down to the wire Wednesday night. Two players received maximum extensions – top overall pick Blake Griffin and No. 3 pick James Harden, who had to change cities to get the deal he wanted. By contrast, five 2009 first-round picks became unrestricted free agents before their four-year rookie deal was completed, including No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet. And
The devastation of Hurricane Sandy on the New York City metropolitan area has forced the postponement of the Brooklyn Nets’ home opener Thursday vs. the New York Knicks. The league made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. There were reports Tuesday that the game at the new Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn might still be played, but that is no longer the case. “Mayor (Michael) Bloomberg informed us this afternoon that after further analysis of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy that he felt
New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon is out indefinitely with right knee issues that have plagued him since he joined the team. Asked about Gordon’s status for the team’s season opener Wednesday night vs. San Antonio, Hornets coach Monty Williams said, “He’s gonna be out, and the way I understand it, he’s gonna be out indefinitely until we get some clarity as to what’s going on.” Gordon did not play at all in the preseason due to the knee injury before participating
Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger is out indefinitely with continued soreness in his left knee, a huge setback for last season’s Eastern Conference semifinalists. A release from the Pacers gave no timetable for Granger’s return and said he will seek a second opinion, after which un update will be provided. Granger experienced soreness in the knee last season but played through the conference semifinals, where the Pacers held a lead over the Miami Heat but ultimately lost in six games. In the offseason,
When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden on Saturday night, they revealed to everyone that they are a team far more concerned with the bottom line than the top of the heap. Probably a bit ahead of schedule, the Thunder reached the NBA Finals last season. As we have said before, they were a questionable foul call away from opening a 2-0 lead on the mighty Miami Heat that would have cultivated the doubt and derision that has swirled around
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded guard James Harden to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night, four days before the deadline for a contract extension. Harden was sent to the Rockets with center Cole Aldrich, forward Lazar Hayward and guard Daequan Cook. The Thunder received guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick. Oklahoma City received a top-three-protected 2013 first-round pick that Houston acquired from Toronto for Kyle Lowry, a 2013 first-round pick originally belonging to Dallas (top
The NBA is back, and so is the weekly edition of The Bernucca List. You remember how this works, right? I give you a list of players, or coaches, or teams, all of whom have something very specific in common. You try to figure out what that common thread is. When you think you’ve got the answer, drop it in the Comments section below. Or you can send me a Tweet. First correct answer gets a mention in next week’s list. Second correct