Bucks Sign Bobby Simmons
Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE - Perhaps the biggest free agent bonanza became official when free agent forward
Bobby Simmons signed with the Bucks this Monday.
A Chicago native, Simmons was voted the NBA's Most Improved Player after last season, when he made just $825,000 with the
Los Angeles Clippers.
"It's exciting for me to come back to the Midwest and to be in Milwaukee," said Simmons, who joins his fourth NBA team. "I'm looking forward to playing with the Bucks and being a part of their nucleus of young players."
Simmons, 24, is part of a rebuilding project in Milwaukee that includes the hiring of new coach
Terry Stotts, the re-signing of star shooting guard
Michael Redd, the selection of center
Andrew Bogut with the top overall pick in the draft and the return of injured point guard
T.J. Ford, who missed all of last season recovering from a spinal cord injury.
"We're pleased to add a player of Bobby's quality and character to our team," Bucks GM
Larry Harris said. "I'm very impressed with how he has continued to improve so far throughout his career. It speaks to his dedication to the game."
In 75 games last season, Simmons averaged 16.4 points, more than double his previous highest average. In his first season as a starter, he also had career highs of 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.41 steals.
In every statistical category, the 6-6 Simmons amassed a total that exceeded his previous three seasons combined.
Harris cleared salary cap room at the trading deadline last season by shipping forward
Keith Van Horn to Dallas and guard
Mike James to Houston.
"Bobby is an extremely versatile player and adds depth to our roster at a number of positions," Harris said. "He can score from anywhere on the court, he's a very tough defender and he wants to win. He had a great year last season and we're excited to add him to our team."
Nets Sign Robinson
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets have re-signed free agent forward
Cliff Robinson, Nets President
Rod Thorn announced today. As per club policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
"We are pleased to bring Cliff to the Nets," said Thorn. "He is a seasoned player who defends well in the low post and can also step outside to make a three-point shot, and we look forward to him being a valuable member of our frontcourt rotation for the upcoming campaign."
A 16-year NBA veteran, the 6-10 Robinson was acquired by the Nets from Golden State on February 14, 2005. He appeared in 29 games as a Net, averaging 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game. Robinson led the Nets in blocks eight times during the season, and recorded 10+ points in six games. His Nets season-high came on March 2 at Philadelphia, when Robinson tallied 18 points off the bench while grabbing five rebounds in 28 minutes of action.
Drafted by Portland in the second round (36th overall pick) in the 1989 NBA Draft, the University of Connecticut product has career marks of 15.1 points and 4.7 rebounds spread over 1250 games with five teams [Portland (1989-97), Phoenix (1997-01), Detroit (2001-03), Golden State (2003, 42 games in 2004-05) and New Jersey]. Robinson appeared in four playoff games for the Nets last season, averaging 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds. Prior to last year, Robinson had played in 125 playoff games, averaging 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Last edited by
kibaxx7 on Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:49 pm, edited 2 times in total.