NBA notebook

Golden state for Lin

Harvard standout signs with Warriors

JEREMY LIN
Instant celebrity

Associated Press / July 22, 2010

Text size – +

Former Harvard star Jeremy Lin, an undrafted free agent guard, was signed by the Golden State Warriors yesterday. He is the first Asian-American player signed by the Warriors since 1947. In an area with a large Asian population, Lin becomes an instant celebrity.

“This is unbelievable,’’ Lin told an array of television crews, photographers and print media in Oakland, Calif. “I’ve never been part of something like this.’’

“I consider myself a basketball player more than an Asian-American,’’ said the Bay Area native. “I’m ready to play at this level and I appreciate the support of the Asian community. This is a dream come true. I always wanted to be in the NBA and now I get to do it with the Warriors, the team I grew up watching.’’

Lin, 21, from nearby Palo Alto, Calif., became a prospect during his final year with the Crimson and furthered his worth playing with the Dallas Mavericks’ summer league team in Las Vegas.

He averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game as a senior at Harvard. His season was highlighted by a 30-point, nine-rebound performance against Connecticut.

Demps is Hornets’ GM

A little more than a month after making 38-year-old Monty Williams the youngest coach in the NBA, the New Orleans Hornets have hired Williams’s longtime friend and former teammate, 40-year-old Dell Demps, as general manager.

Demps takes over for Jeff Bower, who stepped down last week after spending nearly 15 years with the club in various capacities, the past five as general manager.

Demps and Williams have no track record at their current posts. Like Williams, Demps is taking a bit of a risk in joining a Hornets franchise in transition. The club is in the midst of a prolonged ownership change as minority partner Gary Chouest looks to buy out majority owner George Shinn. Although the two owners had a verbal agreement in early May, negotiations on a final sale have been bogged down for months.

Spurs re-sign Jefferson

The San Antonio Spurs re-signed swingman Richard Jefferson to a multiyear deal, nearly a month after the nine-year veteran opted out of a guaranteed $15.2 million next season. Terms of his new deal weren’t disclosed, but Jefferson had been willing to give up the final year of his bloated deal for long-term security.

Jefferson did not meet with reporters. His agent, Todd Eley, did not immediately return messages.

Although his new salary wasn’t immediately known, the Spurs will be paying less for the 30-year-old Jefferson, who struggled to adapt to a new system and failed to make the big splash many expected.

Lee out of worlds

David Lee of the Warriors will miss the world championships because of an injured middle finger on his right hand. Lee will have his finger placed in a splint and could miss six weeks, according to USA Basketball . . . Free agent Tracy McGrady worked out for the Clippers after taking a physical Tuesday, according to ESPN.com. “The workout/visit went well,’ said Clippers GM Neil Olshey said. “Tracy will continue to explore his options as will we.’’ . . . Former Bucks point guard Luke Ridnour signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Timberwolves . . . The Rockets officially announced the re-signings of forward Luis Scola and guard Kyle Lowry, the team’s last major moves expected heading into next season . . .The Trail Blazers signed shooting guard Wesley Matthews after the Jazz declined to meet Portland’s offer . . .The Bucks completed a trade with the Sacramento Kings for forward Jon Brockman in exchange for forward Darnell Jackson and a 2011 second-round draft pick.