Jump to content

Timofey Mozgov

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Timofey Mozgov
Mozgov with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015
Personal information
Born (1986-07-16) 16 July 1986 (age 40)
Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2008: undrafted
Playing career2004–2022
PositionCenter
Career history
2004–2006LenVo St. Petersburg
2006CSK VVS Samara
2006–2010Khimki
2010–2011New York Knicks
2011–2015Denver Nuggets
2011Khimki
2015–2016Cleveland Cavaliers
2016–2017Los Angeles Lakers
2017–2018Brooklyn Nets
2019–2021Khimki
2021–2022Runa Basket Moscow
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Russia
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2012 LondonTeam
EuroBasket
Bronze medal – third place2011 Lithuania

Timofey Pavlovich Mozgov (Russian: Тимофей Павлович Мозгов, IPA: [tʲɪmɐˈfʲej mɐˈzɡof], born 16 July 1986) is a Russian former professional basketball player. He played eight seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between 2010 and 2018, playing for the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. In 2016, he won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers, becoming one of the first Russians to do so, alongside then-teammate Sasha Kaun. He returned to Russia in 2019 and retired from professional basketball in 2022.

As a member of the Russian national team, Mozgov won a bronze medal at both EuroBasket 2011 and the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Professional career

[edit]

LenVo St. Petersburg (2004–2006)

[edit]

Mozgov began his professional career with LenVo St. Petersburg, in the Russian second-tier division, during the 2004–05 season.

Samara (2006)

[edit]

In 2006, Mozgov moved to CSK VVS Samara.

Khimki (2006–2010)

[edit]

Before the 2006–07 season, Mozgov joined Khimki Moscow Region, where he played through the 2009–10 season.[citation needed]

New York Knicks (2010–2011)

[edit]
Mozgov with the Knicks in October 2009

In July 2010, Mozgov signed a three-year, $9.7 million contract with the New York Knicks.[1][2][3] On 30 January 2011, he had season highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds in a 124–106 win over the Detroit Pistons.[4]

Denver Nuggets (2011)

[edit]
Mozgov with the Nuggets in November 2013

On 22 February 2011, Mozgov was acquired by the Denver Nuggets in a three-way trade, which also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves that brought Carmelo Anthony to New York.[5]

Return to Khimki (2011)

[edit]

On 21 July 2011, Mozgov joined Khimki Moscow Region for the second time[6] during the 2011 NBA lockout.[7]

Return to Denver (2011–2015)

[edit]

Mozgov re-joined the Denver Nuggets in December 2011.[8] On 21 January 2012, he scored a season-high 16 points in a 119–114 double-overtime win against his former team, the Knicks.[9]

In 2012–13, Mozgov averaged 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 8.9 minutes while shooting .506 from the field in 41 games.[10]

On 27 July 2013, Mozgov re-signed with the Nuggets on three-year, $14 million contract.[10][11] He scored a season-high 23 points three times,[12] including a game with 23 points and a career-high 29 rebounds in a 100–99 win over the Golden State Warriors on 10 April 2014.[13]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2015–2016)

[edit]

On 7 January 2015, Mozgov was traded, along with a 2015 second-round pick, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for two protected 2015 first-round picks (via Oklahoma City and Memphis).[14] Having always previously worn number 25, he was forced to change that upon joining the Cavaliers due to the franchise having the number retired for Mark Price. He instead chose number 20 as it was the number his father, a Soviet handball player, used while he played the sport.[15] On 9 January, he made his debut for the Cavaliers, recording nine points and eight rebounds off the bench in a 112–94 loss to Golden State.[16]

On 4 June 2015, he became the first Russian to play in the NBA Finals, as the Cavaliers lost Game 1 of the series to the Warriors. Timofey was the third leading scorer for the Cavs in the 2015 finals, averaging 14.0 points through 6 games.[17] This included a 28 point and 10 rebound eruption in a pivotal Game 4.[18] The Cavaliers went on to lose the series in six games.[19]

On 23 June 2015, Cleveland exercised its option on Mozgov's contract for the 2015–16 season.[20] He played a reduced role throughout the season, as the Cavaliers made it to the 2016 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Warriors in a rematch. Mozgov and teammate Sasha Kaun became the first Russians to win an NBA title.[21]

Los Angeles Lakers (2016–2017)

[edit]

On 8 July 2016, Mozgov signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[22][23] The Lakers received "league-wide criticism" for the size of Mozgov's contract.[24] The contract has been described as "huge",[25][26] "dreadful",[27] and "indefensible".[28]

Mozgov made his debut for the Lakers in their season opener on 26 October 2016, recording 12 points and eight rebounds in a 120–114 win over the Houston Rockets.[29] On 14 March 2017, the Lakers shut down a healthy Mozgov for the rest of the season to give the majority of playing time over the final 15 games to the team's younger players.[30][31]

Brooklyn Nets (2017–2018)

[edit]

On 22 June 2017, Mozgov was traded, along with D'Angelo Russell, to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma, the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA draft.[32]

On 6 July 2018, Mozgov was traded, along with the draft rights to Hamidou Diallo, a 2021 second-round draft pick, and cash considerations, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Dwight Howard.[33] A day later, he was traded again, this time to the Orlando Magic in a three-team deal.[34]

On 6 July 2019, Mozgov was waived by the Magic without having played a game, due to a knee injury.[35] On 28 November 2019, the NBA approved the Magic's petition to have Mozgov's salary removed from their books due to the knee injury.[36]

Third stint with Khimki (2019–2021)

[edit]

On 31 July 2019, Mozgov signed a one-year deal to return to his home country and play once again for Khimki of the VTB United League and the EuroLeague.[37] However, he did not play in the 2019–20 season due to his knee injury.

On 12 April 2021, Mozgov played in his first professional game since 2018, logging six points, six rebounds, and one assist in a 89–83 win over Enisey.[38]

Runa (2021–2022)

[edit]

On 23 December 2021, Mozgov signed with Runa Basket Moscow of the Russian Basketball Super League 1.[39]

National team career

[edit]
Mozgov playing for the Russian national team in 2011

Mozgov has also been a member of the senior Russian national basketball team. He played at EuroBasket 2009, EuroBasket 2011, and the 2012 Summer Olympics, winning bronze medals at the latter two.[40]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 New York 341413.5.464.000.7053.1.4.4.74.0
2010–11 Denver 1106.0.524.000.7501.5.0.1.22.5
2011–12 Denver 443515.6.526.000.6844.1.5.31.05.4
2012–13 Denver 4118.9.506.000.7692.6.2.1.42.6
2013–14 Denver 823021.6.523.167.7546.4.8.31.29.4
2014–15 Denver 353525.6.504.333.7337.8.5.41.28.5
2014–15 Cleveland 464525.0.590.000.7086.9.8.41.210.6
2015–16† Cleveland 764817.4.565.143.7164.4.4.3.86.3
2016–17 L.A. Lakers 545220.4.515.000.8084.9.8.3.67.4
2017–18 Brooklyn 311311.6.559.222.7673.2.4.2.44.2
Career 45427318.0.535.190.7384.9.6.3.86.8

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012 Denver 7514.1.480.000.5003.3.4.3.94.0
2015 Cleveland 202026.5.500.000.7907.30.9.41.810.6
2016† Cleveland 1305.8.400.000.7501.60.2.20.21.2
Career 402517.6.589.000.7634.83.5.31.16.4

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Knicks sign Russian center Mozgov". espn.com. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  2. ↑ Abrams, Jonathan (11 July 2010). "Knicks Sign Mozgov, a Center From Russia". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 June 2026. Timofey Mozgov, a 7-foot-1 center who played for B.C. Khimki, has signed a three-year, $9 million free-agent contract.
  3. ↑ Zwerling, Jared (14 February 2011). "Kickin' it with a Knick: Timofey Mozgov". espn.com. Retrieved 28 June 2026. When the Knicks agreed to terms with the Russian center on a reported three-year, $9.7 million deal in July...
  4. ↑ "Pistons vs. Knicks - Game Recap - January 30, 2011 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  5. ↑ "Nuggets acquire five players, three picks in three-team trade". NBA.com. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "Khimki brings back Mozgov, adds Quinn". EuroLeague.net. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "Report: Mozgov to sign with Russian team". Archived from the original on 16 October 2012.
  8. ↑ "Timofey Mozgov 2011-12 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Nuggets defeat Melo, Knicks in double-overtime thriller". Denverpost.com. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Denver Nuggets Re-Sign Center Timofey Mozgov". Denver Nuggets. 27 July 2013.
  11. ↑ "Nuggets re-sign Timofey Mozgov". espn.com. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Timofey Mozgov 2013-14 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Notebook: Nuggets 100, Warriors 99". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "Cavs Acquire Timofey Mozgov". NBA.com. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  15. ↑ Fedor, Chris (10 January 2015). "With No. 25 retired, Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov will wear No. 20". cleveland.com.
  16. ↑ "Cavaliers at Warriors". NBA.com.
  17. ↑ "2015 NBA Finals leading scorers". statsmuse.com. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  18. ↑ "NBA FINALS - GAME 4 • Series tied 2-2". espn.com. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  19. ↑ Exner, Rich (16 June 2015). "Cleveland Cavaliers plus-6 with Timofey Mozgov in NBA Finals; minus 41 vs. Golden State Warriors without him". cleveland.com.
  20. ↑ Kleps, Kevin (22 June 2015). "Cavaliers exercise option on Timofey Mozgov's contract for 2015-16 season". Crain's Cleveland Business. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  21. ↑ "Russian players win NBA title for first time". Rbth.com. 20 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Lakers Sign Timofey Mozgov". Los Angeles Lakers.
  23. ↑ Windhorst, Brian (1 July 2016). "Source: Lakers, Mozgov agree on 4 years, $64M". ESPN.com. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  24. ↑ "Lakers' Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov mindful of criticism about their play, contracts". Orange County Register. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  25. ↑ Wells, Adam (14 March 2017). "Lakers Rumors: Timofey Mozgov Reportedly Shut Down to Give Younger Players Minutes". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  26. ↑ "Lakers Acquire Brook Lopez For Russell, Mozgov". Hoops Rumors. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  27. ↑ Lavinio, Christopher (28 June 2017). "Timofey Mozgov: The good, the bad and the ugly". Hoops Habit. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  28. ↑ Buckley, Zach (29 June 2018). "The 5 Worst NBA Contracts from the Last 5 Years". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  29. ↑ "Young Lakers roar past Rockets 120-114 to win Walton's debut". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  30. ↑ "Lakers shut down healthy Timofey Mozgov for remainder of season". ESPN.com. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  31. ↑ Shelburne, Ramona (15 March 2017). "Sources: Healthy Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov agree to sit out rest of Lakers' season". ESPN.com. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  32. ↑ "BROOKLYN NETS ACQUIRE D'ANGELO RUSSELL AND TIMOFEY MOZGOV FROM L.A. LAKERS". NBA.com. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  33. ↑ Reed, Steve (20 June 2018). "AP source: Hornets agree to trade Howard to Nets for Mozgov". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  34. ↑ Denton, John (8 July 2018). "Magic Acquire Jerian Grant and Timofey Mozgov in Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018. ...the Orlando Magic acquired point guard Jerian Grant and reserve center Timofey Mozgov on Saturday night.
  35. ↑ "The Orlando Magic have waived center Timofey Mozgov, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Mozgov did not play in any games with Orlando last season due to a knee injury". Orlando Magic PR on Twitter. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  36. ↑ Smith, Deyscha (28 November 2019). "Magic Granted Salary Cap Relief For Timofey Mozgov". SLAM. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  37. ↑ "Khimki, center Mozgov reunite". EuroLeague.net. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  38. ↑ "Timofey Mozgov makes his return in Khimki's win". Eurohoops.net. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  39. ↑ Rowienski, Alex (23 December 2021). "Timofey Mozgov agreed terms with Runa Basket". Eurobasket. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  40. ↑ "Timofey Mozgov Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timofey_Mozgov&oldid=1366016907"