Associated Press
The NBA notebook …
CHICAGO ó NBA MVP Derrick Rose agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Chicago Bulls worth approximately $94 million, a person familiar with the situation said.
The Chicago Tribune, citing sources, first reported the deal. The person spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deal had not been finalized. The extension will start in the 2012-13 season, when Rose is eligible to make about $16 million.
BRYANT HURT
LOS ANGELES ó The Los Angeles Lakers say Kobe Bryant wonít play in Wednesday nightís preseason finale because of an injury suffered in the teamís first preseason game against the Clippers.
The team says Bryant is being listed as day-to-day. The Lakers say an MRI revealed that Bryant had torn a ligament in his right wrist.
The Lakers face the Clippers again on Wednesday night.
They open the regular season at home against the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day.
BIYOMBO READY
CHARLOTTE ó Christmas came a little early for Bobcats rookie Bismack Biyombo.
He will get to make his preseason debut Thursday night at Atlanta ó a day he wasnít sure would come at all this NBA season.
For months Biyombo, the seventh pick in the draft, wondered if heíd get a chance to play basketball for the Bobcats because of a contract dispute with his former Spanish team Fuenlabrada, which demanded it held his rights.
But the situation was resolved earlier this week with Biyombo agreeing to pay $1.5 million to Fuenlabrada for his contractual freedom.
Bobcats owner Michael Jordan paid $525,000 of that, the most allowed under league rules. Biyombo handled the rest.
He didnít seem to mind all that much.
He gets to play ball in the NBA.
Biyombo said he was depressed watching his teammates practice last week and play in Monday nightís preseason home game against the Hawks, but is all smiles now.
Biyombo said practicing with his teammates was fun, but added ěuntil I actually play in a game, I canít say my dream has come true.î
Coach Paul Silas is thrilled for the rookie.
ěIf you just saw him during the practice session, he was sitting over there about as depressed as Iíve ever seen anyone,î Silas said. ěWhen I first walked in (after the contract dispute was settled), he had his hands in the air and smiling So this is great for him as well as the team.î
Biyombo felt like he was letting his new employers down by not practicing.
ěThe team drafted me high and really expected me to be on the floor,î Biyombo said. ěSo it wasnít just a disappointment for me, it was for the guys who drafted me.î
Teammates say Biyombo has been playing above the rim at practice this week, seemingly anxious to show what he can on the court.
Corey Maggette said Biyomboís conditioning was impressive.
ěWe had a great contribution from Bis(mack) in practice,î Maggette said. ěHim coming in and making a tremendous impact in practice is amazing. So thatís a big positive for us.î
The power forward from Congo has incredible leaping ability and figures to play a key role in the Bobcatsí rebuilding effort.
The Bobcats traded away two of the best players in Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson in the past year with the focus on building through the draft. They had the No. 7 and No. 9 picks in the draft and used them on Biyombo and guard Kemba Walker, who led Connecticut to the national championship last season and was named the Final Fourís most outstanding player.
Jordan hopes those two players will mesh and become the cornerstones of franchise.
Biyombo will have to step up big time if he hopes to match Walkerís debut Monday night.
After picking up three quick fouls in four minutes in the first half, Walker came back to score 15 of his game-high 18 points in the second half to lift the Bobcats to a 79-77 win.
ěEarly on I got in some foul trouble and I just kept putting my hands on guys,î Walker said. ěIím used to doing that in college. At this level you canít do that. But in the second half the coach wanted me to play some minutes.î
Biyombo will likely see the same type of playing time in the teamís final tuneup for the regular season Thursday night.
Notes: Maggette, who sat out Monday nightís game with back spasms, said he expects to play against the Hawks Thursday. … Coach Paul Silas missed a day of practice to receive treatment on his right knee. Silas has been in pain for some time and has had to ice his knee after practices. He wanted to get it taken care of before the season. .. Point guard D.J. Augustinís status hyperextended his right elbow and Tyrus Thomas suffered a mild ankle sprain in the preseason opener and their status for Thursday is uncertain. … The Bobcats have until Friday to match the Grizzliesí qualifying offer to restricted free agent Dante Cunningham. No decision has been made yet.
The Associated Press
12/21/11 12:50