DENVER, Nov. 20 -- Isaiah Rider may have reached the end of a troubled road Tuesday when he was waived by the Denver Nuggets, who activated swingman Calbert Cheaney.
Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe was quick to point out that Rideralso known as J.R.was not being waived for any transgression or misstep, as has been the case in the past for the talented guard.
"Its unfortunate that we had to waive J.R. at this time," Vandeweghe said. "But we had to make this roster change. J.R. has been nothing but professional since hes been here."
Rider, 30, averaged 9.3 points on 46 percent shooting in 10 games, primarily as a backup. He played eight minutes in a 99-96 overtime win Monday over New Jersey, scoring four points.
Rider was signed to a one-year, $840,000 contract just before training camp. Although he was on his best behavior by all accounts, Nuggets coach Dan Issel indicated two weeks ago that Rider could be waived because he had been playing poorly.
The 6-5 Rider responded with games of 19 and 28 points but did not score in double figures again, also missing one game with a sprained ankle.
The Nuggets were the fifth team for Rider, who has teased NBA coaches and executives throughout his career with his terrific talent while infuriating them with his behavior on and off the court.
Last season, Rider was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, who won their second straight title. However, he was nearly waived prior to the postseason before being made inactive for the playoffs. He became a free agent July 1 and drew very little interest.
The previous season, Rider was waived by the Atlanta Hawks as he opted for his release from the club rather than a suspension for missing a team shootaround. Earlier in the 1999-2000 campaign, he followed a loss to Indiana by sitting on the court by himself for 10 minutes, then launching into a profanity-laced tirade directed at his teammates, whom he said were laughing on the bench.
Rider missed a handful of practices and team flights and finally was waived on March 17.
During his career, Rider has been arrested for punching a woman at a mall, marijuana possession and illegal possession of cellular telephones.
The 1994 Slam Dunk champion at All-Star Weekend, Rider also has played for Minnesota and Portland in an eight-year career. One of the better all-around offensive guards in the game, he has averaged 16.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 563 career games.
The 6-8 Cheaney suffered a sprained left knee during the preseason and was placed on the IL. He is entering his ninth season and second with Denver, having played just nine games due to injury last season.NEWLN: Content: 15008000
