NEW YORK, 10 August 2005 — The Milwaukee Bucks have signed free agent forward Bobby Simmons to a multi-year contract, general manager Larry Harris announced Monday. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. The 2005-06 season will mark Simmons’ fifth in the NBA ranks.
“Bobby is an extremely versatile player and adds depth to our roster at a number of positions,” said Harris. “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.”
Simmons, 25, enjoyed a breakout season with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2004-05 on his way to earning the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award. In 75 games (74 starts) he averaged career highs of 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 37.3 minutes per game. He scored in double-figures 69 times, including 23 games with 20 points or more and two contests with a career-high 30 points.
“We’re pleased to add a player of Bobby’s quality and character to our team,” said Head Coach Terry Stotts. “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 four seasons at the NBA level (197 games), Simmons has career averages of 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Drafted by Seattle in 2001 (42nd overall), Simmons began his career in Washington after the Wizards traded for his draft rights shortly after the 2001 NBA Draft. After two seasons in Washington, he signed with the Clippers prior to the 2003-04 season.
“It’s exciting for me to come back to the Midwest and to be in Milwaukee,” said Simmons. “I’m looking forward to playing with the Bucks and being a part of their nucleus of young players.”
Prior to declaring for the NBA Draft, Simmons spent three years at DePaul University where he averaged 13.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He was the first player in school history to record 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 three-point field goals. A native of Chicago, he attended Simeon High School in Illinois and earned All-State honors his junior and senior seasons.
NBA TV to Tip Off Schedule With Premiere Week Doubleheader
Meantime, NBA TV will televise 96 regular season games and tip off the 2005-06 season coverage with its first ever Premiere Week doubleheader on Saturday, Nov. 5. The first game of the doubleheader will feature All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal and the Indiana Pacers as they host perennial All-Star guard Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers at 8 p.m. (ET), followed by former MVP Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves taking on Elton Brand and the L.A. Clippers at 10:30 p.m. (ET). NBA TV will televise more than half of its regular-season games in High Definition.
NBA TV’s Premiere Week coverage continues with Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 6 at 9:30 p.m. (ET), and concludes with Shaquille O’Neal and his Miami Heat teammates hosting Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Other key games airing during NBA TV’s first week of coverage include the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons taking on the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 8 at 10 p.m. (ET), followed by the Washington Wizards hosting Tim Duncan and the 2004-05 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs at 7 p.m. (ET) on November 12. Key match-ups airing on NBA TV during Rivalry Week include a Western Conference showdown between MVP Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns vs. All-Stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets on Feb. 27 at 8:30 p.m. (ET), followed by a rematch of the 2004 NBA Finals as Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers host Rip Hamilton and the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, March, 4 at 10:30 p.m. (ET).
NBA TV will also feature key regular season contests such as the Indiana Pacers taking on the New York Knicks on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. (ET), a New Year’s Day showdown between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Miami Heat at 6 p.m. (ET), and the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the New York Knicks on Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
