HoopsHype.com Rumors

Rick Bonnell: Byron Mullens told me post-game he intends to play Monday in Miami. He's been out since before Christmas with that sprained left ankle. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Injuries, BJ Mullens 

Mullens took a hard fall late in Saturday’s road loss to the Denver Nuggets. He couldn’t put any weight on the joint, and there was relief around the franchise that he hadn’t fractured his ankle. Still, he figures to be out weeks, if not a month, with the injury. So the Bobcats (7-20) will have at least one new starter Wednesday night when they face the NBA champion Miami Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena. Another power forward, Tyrus Thomas, is already out with a calf strain, so the options are limited. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Injuries, BJ Mullens 

Rick Bonnell: Bobcats haven't yet given an estimate how long Mullens will be out. But based on what I saw, I'd say weeks, if not a month. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Injuries, BJ Mullens 

However, Mullens disregarded Aldridge's presence and took off, extended his body and flushed the one-handed jam knocking Aldridge down to the floor in the process. There was no call and all Aldridge could do was smile as he got up. If you play long enough in this league, you're going to get posterized. Still, nobody likes to go through something like that. After the game, Aldridge said it should have been a charge, but he also acknowledges that Mullens got him. “It was a charge, but he dunked on me,” Aldridge said. “He dunked on me, but I think I had 25, 13, five, and three,” Aldridge said. “So, you want to dunk on somebody or you want that?” CSNNW.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, BJ Mullens 

You don’t understand. This wasn’t Blake Griffin making Kendrick Perkins look silly. We’ve come to expect those things from Griffin. This was Byron Mullens, a 7-footer who has somehow attempted 78 3-pointers already, suddenly summoning Michael Jordan in Charlotte. This was just…well, just watch. Byron. Mullens. NBCSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, BJ Mullens 

That Mullens tomahawk over LaMarcus Aldridge in the first half was pretty sweet. “I kind of surprised myself,’’ Mullens said. “I really thought it was going to be a charge.’’ Actually, Aldridge was in full back-pedal, trying not to get hurt. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Portland Trail Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge, BJ Mullens 

Really funny moment in the post-game locker room when I asked Byron Mullens about the pass he threw to Ramon Sessions for the tying 3-pointer. Mullens started chuckling, saying that’s the first time he can remember being double-teamed as an NBA player. If he keeps operating in the post like he did Monday, it won’t be Mullens’ last double-team. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Ramon Sessions, BJ Mullens 

Late in the second quarter of the Hornets’ win over the Bobcats on Friday, Anthony Davis and Byron Mullens got tangled up. There was some pushing and shoving to go along with the requisite showing of bravado, before the referees stepped in and the two had to be separated. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist then came over to intervene, in what you’d hope was an attempt to calm rather than inflame the situation. But the official was already there, so MKG ended up running him over, which sent the ref tumbling to the ground. There’s no guarantee Kidd-Gilchrist will be suspended for the contact; the rule book only specifies an automatic one-game suspension for making “intentional” contact with an official, and in this case, that’s going to be subjective. NBCSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, BJ Mullens, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Marc Stein: Visited postgame w/Gerald Henderson & Byron Mullens. Both expressed hope that extensions from Bobcats still possible before WEDS deadline Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Charlotte Bobcats, Gerald Henderson, BJ Mullens 

Marc Stein: Henderson & Mullens conceded Halloween buzzer for extensions has been on their minds but both insist they can play on unaffected w/out deals Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Charlotte Bobcats, Gerald Henderson, BJ Mullens 

Rick Bonnell: #bobcats forward Byron Mullens' left knee injury not considered serious. Team says his ligaments and cartilage checked out fine. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Injuries, BJ Mullens 

Great Britain coach Chris Finch won't have Byron Mullens at the London Games and is still waiting to discover if another NBA player, Ben Gordon, will play. Mullens, an American, qualified for and received his British passport earlier this year because his mother hails from England. He has never feature with Britain in an international competition. The same can be said for Gordon, who was born in London but grew up in the United States. FIBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Ben Gordon, Great Britain, Olympics, BJ Mullens, Chris Finch 

The Detroit Pistons guard is being non-committal about the Olympic squad, citing the need to rest after the NBA season. "We are never in a position to give ultimatums," Great Britain coach Chris Finch said to the Telegraph. "We are going to give Ben all of next week to let us know what his intentions are and then we will map out whether we go forward with him or without him but there comes a point when we have to move forward and make the best decision for the team." FIBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Ben Gordon, Great Britain, Olympics, BJ Mullens, Chris Finch 

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng is one of three NBA players who have agreed to play on Britain's Olympic team. British basketball says Deng, Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon and Charlotte Bobcats center Byron Mullens have "confirmed their availability and commitment" to play at the Olympics. They are part of a 21-man preliminary squad. WCBD-TV 2

Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Luol Deng, FIBA, Ben Gordon, Great Britain, BJ Mullens 

Silas loves Mullens’ shooting range, but he doesn’t want Mullens constantly defaulting to that skill. Silas believes Mullens is a better low-post scorer than he displays, and that’s something Silas wants to explore the rest of the season. “He’s got great moves around the basket – great hooks off both hands,” Silas said. “Right now he’s always fading away on the jumper. Go to the middle and shoot your hook.” Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, BJ Mullens 

Everything about Mullens is still in the discovery stage, which makes an international opportunity this summer so intriguing. Since Mullens’ mother is British, he’s eligible to try out for their national team, which has an automatic bid to the Olympics as the host country. The British tryout camp convenes in June in Houston. “That would be great,” Silas said of Mullens playing in the Olympics. “He needs experience, and that’s certainly a plus.” Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Great Britain, BJ Mullens 

When asked Tuesday if he views Mullens a part of the team's future, Silas said, "I do now." Silas said the metaphorical light seems to have gone on for Mullens. "Initially we had our questions about him, but he's learning," Silas said. "And he is talented. He can shoot the basketball and is learning how to rotate and block shots and rebound. He's coming along. I'm happy for him because it's been a struggle for him. "I think he's going to be pretty good." NBA.com

Charlotte Bobcats, BJ Mullens 

NBA star Byron Mullens is set to join Great Britain’s challenge at this summer’s Olympic Games, MVP has learnt. The seven-foot Charlotte Bobcats centre, who was born in Ohio, is currently averaging almost ten points per game in his third year in the league. With his mother hailing from Middlesex, the 23-year-old is understood to have completed the formalities of acquiring his British passport. MVP 24/7

Charlotte Bobcats, Olympics, BJ Mullens 

His impending arrival has been endorsed by prospective GB team-mate Luol Deng, who revealed he has already spoken to Mullens about joining him on national duty. “When we played against Charlotte, I spoke to him a little bit and he seemed really excited,” the NBA All Star told MVP247.com. MVP 24/7

Charlotte Bobcats, Olympics, BJ Mullens 

The change in scenery was a welcome breath of fresh air for Mullens who long came to terms he wasn’t part of the Thunder’s plans. He also has March 10, when the Bobcats travel to Oklahoma City, circled on his calendar. “I’m excited I’m here [in Charlotte],” Mullens told HOOPSWORLD. “I left a good team but I wasn’t part of the organization plan. Nothing against them, but yeah, I can’t wait to go back there on March 10. Those guys are cool with me so it’s all good. I’m ready to build with this organization any way I can.” HoopsWorld

Charlotte Bobcats, Oklahoma City Thunder, BJ Mullens