Tuesday, November 20, 2001
NBA notebook
Fisher gives Lakers full set of starters
The Associated Press
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The return of guard Derek Fisher will give the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers a healthy team for the first time this season.
Fisher, a key factor in the Lakers' 15-1 playoff run last spring, was cleared to play Monday and went through his first full practice with the team. He underwent surgery July 3 to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.
A similar injury caused Fisher to miss the first 62 games last season. He probably won't be activated for a few days.
“At this point, it's really a coach's decision, it's up to Phil Jackson,” said Lakers spokesman John Black. “He's indicated he wants Derek to get two or three days of practice.”
Forward Mark Madsen, who also had surgery July 3, on his left wrist, also went through a full practice and could be activated at any time.
“They are both cleared medically to play,” Black said. “It's the same thing with Mark. It's up to Phil to evaluate his conditioning and game readiness before he activates him.”
The Lakers (8-1) face the Los Angeles Clippers (5-5) at Staples Center tonight, and travel to face the Denver Nuggets the following night.
TIMBERWOLVES:
he team reached a retirement agreement with injured forward Tom Hammonds, a 13-year veteran who played in only seven games last season because of deteriorated cartilage in both ankles. Hammonds is signed through the season, but an undisclosed buyout saves Minnesota from paying his full salary of $1.8 million.
“It is sad to see Tom not be able to perform at the level that he has in the past,” said vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale. “I know that it was hard on him last season to be able to only contribute in limited minutes.”
Hammonds, who moonlights during the offseason as a driver on the National Hot Rod Association circuit, has career averages of 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds a game.
GRIZZLIES:
Rodney Buford was signed and forward Antonis Fotsis was put on the injured list.
Buford, who plays guard and forward, spent most of last season with Philadelphia, averaging 5.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 47 games.
“He has an opportunity to grow and develop with our young team,” Grizzlies general manager Billy Knight said. “We are looking forward to see how he fits into our plans for the future.”
Fotsis is on the injured list for a second time this season because of tendinitis in his right knee. He has appeared in one game, scoring four points against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov.9.
JAZZ:
Utah activated rookie forward Jarron Collins, a second-round pick from Stanford, who had been on the injured list with a sprained left thumb.
HORNETS:
The team waived guard Eldridge Recasner and activated forward Jerome Moiso from the injured list.
Recasner played in only one game this season and averaged 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds for Boston last season. Moiso was on the injured list with tendinitis in his left knee.
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