Wally Szczerbiak To Retire?

This is from about a week ago … the NY Post reports

The unsigned Szczerbiak told The Post yesterday he underwent knee surgery three weeks ago at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan and is seriously considering retiring in the coming weeks.

The surgeons have told the Cold Spring Harbor product another knee injury could affect his ability to lead a normal life because he lacks enough cartilage in the knee after three surgeries.

A source said the decision’s been all but made to retire because he wants to be able to play with his kids. But Szczerbiak said yesterday an official decision hasn’t been reached.

Game Time: Orlando vs Cleveland

Big game tonight between the Cavs and Magic. Good opportunity to see how the new look Cavs, Shaquille O’Neal in particular, defend Dwight Howard and company.

• Magic lineup — Shaq + Hickson + James + Parker + Williams
• Cavs lineup — Dwight + Bass + Barnes + Vince + Nelson

First Quarter

• Delonte West is inactive tonight. The team hasn’t released the reason why … only to say there needs to be accountability for all players.
• Nice help defense by Nelson coming over from the weakside to break up the pass by LeBron to Hickson under the rim.
• Mo Williams knocks down a jumper. Jameer Nelson replies with a pull up J of his own from 18 feet on the right elbow extended.
• James isolation on the right wing against Barnes, James settles for the jumper, hits a 22 footer. He can beat Barnes for speed all night long. Look to drive.
• Cavs post up Shaquille O’Neal, foul on Howard in the post. His first. Sideline ball, Cavs post up Shaq again, he turns middle, hesitates, gets himself in trouble, takes a one handed short shot in the middle of the paint, misses.

Kings Sign Udoka

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent Ime Udoka

That was the rough logic behind the Kings’ signing of Ime Udoka on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-5, sixth-year swingman spent the last two seasons as a key reserve for San Antonio, averaging 18.0 and 15.4 minutes, respectively.

He was a strong defensive presence and an occasional three-point threat, although his 32.8 three-point percentage last season was the worst of his career (37.4 percent overall).

According to sources, Udoka has a nonguaranteed contract for the veteran’s minimum salary that will run through the end of the season and pay him a prorated amount of $1.03 million. It won’t be fully guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2010.

“I’m thinking of him in terms of the (shooting guard) and (small forward positions),” Westphal said. “He’s a versatile player, a good three-point shooter.

“He’s been part of winning programs, and I think he can help anybody in this league. … If you can add a guy like that to your team, it’s a good thing to do.”