Pistons Notes: Dumars, Coach, Sampson
Last night, we learned that Stan Van Gundy isn't interested in becoming the next coach of the 76ers, Cavaliers, or Pistons, the three teams with coaching vacancies. Detroit let Lawrence Frank go at the end of the season, bringing an end to his tenure which saw the club go 54-94 across two seasons. Here's a look at the latest out of The Palace as they get set for what should be a very interesting offseason..
- Joe Dumars will be in charge of finding the next coach of the team, but he won't rush his search, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. There's no hurry for Dumars as potential candidates – such as Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson– are in the playoffs.
- The foundation is set for Dumars to improve the fortunes of the Pistons, writes Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News. The Pistons have flexibility, young players and play in a fairly desirable market, which can't be said for other clubs in similar positions. One league executive told Goodwill that Dumars is still heavily respected by players and agents around the league and that he represents "organizational strength" despite the Pistons not being a big-market team.
- Without mentioning him by name, former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy blasted Dumars for making Frank the scapegoat for the club's problems, writes Brendan Savage of MLive.com.
New York Notes: Carlesimo, Nets, Martin, Knicks
Here's a look at some items on the Nets and Knicks as they get set to take on the Bulls and Celtics, respectively..
- When asked what it will take in the playoffs to keep his job, Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo responded that he has "no idea", writes Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record. Carlesimo has had great success since taking over as interim coach, compiling a record of 35-19 since Avery Johnson was let go.
- In an interview with Steve Serby of the New York Post, Knicks forward Kenyon Martin had high praise for coach Mike Woodson. Martin explained that Woodson is unlike any other coach he has had and loves how he has a laid back demeanor but can also be stern when necessary. Martin will be a free agent this summer but has made it clear that he enjoys New York.
- The Knicks hope their age doesn't show as they get set for their playoff run, writes Mitch Lawrence of the Daily News.
Odds & Ends: Magic, Noel, Stan Van Gundy, Curry
The future of the Kings was far from the only issue on the table at the NBA's Board of Governors meeting this week. USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt rounds up the other issues that owners discussed, including human growth hormone testing for players, the effect of widespread reliance on three-pointers, and the possibility of a joint bid for the 2015 All-Star Game between New York and Brooklyn. Here's more from the Association on the eve of the playoffs:
- Magic GM Rob Hennigan has demonstrated a reluctance to pick up players with question marks surrounding their health, but Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel hears they wouldn't hesitate to draft top prospect Nerlens Noel, who tore his left ACL in February.
- Schmitz also hears Stan Van Gundy has no interest in becoming the next coach of the Cavaliers, Sixers or Pistons, the three teams with current coaching vacancies. The former Magic coach has been linked to the openings in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
- Sixers assistant coach Michael Curry will interview for the head job in Philly, but a source tells John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer that interest from other teams will be high.
- Jamaal Tinsley started 32 games in place of the injured Mo Williams for the Jazz this season, and the 35-year-old Tinsley is convinced he has plenty left, telling Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune he "realistically" thinks he can play for another three or four years in the league (Twitter link).
- A report earlier this season suggested Omri Casspi was thinking about returning to play in his native Israel, but he tells Walla Sport that as long as he receives an offer from an NBA club, he won't play overseas next season (translation via HoopsHype).
- Mike Dunlap is rumored to be in danger of losing his job with the Bobcats, but the team is in no hurry to make its decision about him, preferring to listen to exit interviews and watch the coaching market develop first, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- Warriors GM Bob Myers told Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group that he had every confidence Stephen Curry would remain healthy when he signed the point guard to his four-year, $44MM extension last fall.
Pacific Links: Paul, Hunter, Nash, Assistants
Three Pacific Division teams are preparing for the playoffs this weekend, while the other two have May 21st, the date of the draft lottery, circled on their calendars. By the end of that night, the Kings will know which pick they'll have in the first round, and apparently which city they'll be playing in next year, too, according to comments David Stern made today. We've been keeping close tabs on Kings developments, and there's news involving the other four teams in the division as well.
- A source close to Chris Paul tells HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram that there's no way CP3 will leave the Clippers (Twitter link). That's in keeping with the signals Paul's camp has been putting out all season.
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports unveils his final power rankings of the 2012/13 season, and in so doing passes along news that the Suns are thinking about keeping interim coach Lindsey Hunter, according to a source.
- Steve Nash has endured a season of injuries and dished out his fewest assists per game since 1999/00, but he's giving no thought to retirement, notes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Sulia link).
- From conversations with general managers, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports gleans the names of four assistant coaches who appear to be top candidates to wind up as head coaches (Twitter link). Three have Pacific Division ties: Michael Malone of the Warriors, Steve Clifford of the Lakers, and former Lakers assistant Quin Snyder, who's now an assistant in Russia with CSKA Moscow. The other name on Wojnarowski's list is Kelvin Sampson, who temporarily took over head coaching duties for the Rockets this season while Kevin McHale tended to his ailing daughter.
Players Who Made China-To-NBA Jump This Year
Last year's lockout prompted many NBA players without contracts to jump to a league they might not have otherwise considered. Chinese Basketball Association teams don't allow their imports from overseas an out in case the NBA comes calling, but with the 2011/12 season in doubt, Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, Aaron Brooks and a handful of others took the chance and signed to play in China.
The lockout ended in December, but since the Chinese league's season ends much earlier than the NBA's, the prominent Americans playing in China were able to come back stateside. The gamble paid off particularly well for Chandler, who inked a five-year, $31.72MM deal with the Nuggets upon his return.
Even without the specter of the lockout this season, the CBA has continued to funnel talent to the NBA, with the early end to its schedule a key factor. No team took advantage quite like the Celtics, who brought three players over from China when injuries depleted their roster. Here's a look at all the players who wound up in the NBA after playing in the CBA this season:
- Shavlik Randolph, Celtics: After pouring in 32.0 PPG and 14.5 RPG for the Foshan Long Lions, Boston signed Randolph to a pair of 10-day contracts and a deal that covers the rest of the season and beyond. The power forward was the CBA's leading scorer and third-leading rebounder in 2012/13.
- Josh Akognon, Mavericks: The 5'11" guard parlayed 29.0 PPG and four made three-pointers per contest for the Liaoning Jiebao Hunters into a 10-day contract with the Mavericks, who re-signed him to a deal for the rest of this season with a team option for next year.
- Solomon Jones, Knicks: Akognon's Liaoning teammate put up 15.8 PPG and 10.4 RPG, and that got him a deal with the Knicks. It didn't last long, as the Knicks waived him two games and less than 72 hours later.
- Terrence Williams, Celtics: Williams was the first of Boston's three China refugees to sign for the rest of the season and beyond, even though his numbers for the Guangdong Southern Tigers weren't eye-popping. He averaged 17.9 PPG and 4.1 APG, and shot worse from the field (42%) and from three-point range (31.7%) than he has with Boston.
- Tracy McGrady, Spurs: San Antonio followed up its surprising release of Stephen Jackson with McGrady's unexpected signing this week. The two-time NBA scoring champ showed an all-around game for the Qingdao Double Star Eagles, racking up 25.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 5.1 APG.
- D.J. White, Celtics: Gilbert Arenas, White's teammate on the Shanghai Sharks, carries much more starpower, but White was the Chinese team's leading scorer this season, at 21.6 PPG. He also notched 9.7 RPG en route to a pair of 10-day contracts with the Celtics, who ultimately signed him for the rest of the season with a team option for 2013/14.
- Honorary mention: James Singleton of the Xinjiang Flying Tigers had an agreement in place to sign with the Knicks last week, but the Tigers had trouble arranging his FIBA letter of clearance, which is required when players jump between leagues in different countries. That prevented Singleton's deal with the Knicks from coming to fruition.
Cavs Notes: Brown, Gilbert, Jackson, Coaches
Let's round up a few notes related to one of three NBA teams that's currently in the market for a new coach….
- Gilbert was widely considered the driving force behind Brown's firing in 2010, but he wouldn't stop GM Chris Grant from re-hiring Brown if that's what Grant wants to do, sources tell Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. Still, Lloyd hears Brown isn't the only candidate the team will consider.
- Echoing an earlier report, the team is expected to reach out to Phil Jackson, according to Lloyd, though Jackson would likely have more interest in a team closer to winning a title. The Cavs also have interest in Stan Van Gundy and Scott Skiles, Lloyd adds.
Earlier updates:
- According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, the Cavaliers have someone in mind for their head coaching vacancy, and could make a hire "within two weeks" (Twitter link). Based on reports so far, it seems Cleveland's top candidate is former coach Mike Brown.
- Besides parting ways with head coach Byron Scott, the Cavs have also released assistants Paul Pressey and Joe Prunty, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter).
- Before he discussed the Kings saga with reporters today in New York, commissioner David Stern revealed that the Board of Governors had approved majority owner Dan Gilbert's purchase of a larger stake in the Cavaliers. Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports that Gilbert bought the shares of David Katzman, who had been the team's second-largest shareholder (Twitter links).
Sacramento/Seattle Updates: Friday
NBA commissioner David Stern spoke to the media today from the league's Board of Governors meetings, briefing reporters on the latest updates in the Kings saga. According to Stern, the NBA's subcommittees discussing the Kings sale will likely vote on their recommendation sometime late next week. That recommendation will then be taken to all 30 owners, who will vote a week or two after that (Twitter link via ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst). Resolution is expected to come before May 21st's draft lottery, says Stern (Twitter link via Ken Berger of CBSSports.com). Here's more on Sacramento, Seattle, and the Kings:
- Several ownership sources tell Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com that they have serious questions about the Sacramento group's financing to purchase the team and build a new arena. Windhorst also passes along details of the Maloofs' letter to the NBA.
- Stern downplayed the idea that whichever city demonstrates it can build its arena more quickly will be a key factor in the league's debate, Windhorst notes.
Earlier updates:
- Expansion hasn't been discussed in this instance, though Stern didn't rule out the possibility down the road, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
- Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who is on the NBA's relocation and finance committees, told Chris Daniels of KING TV that they have asked the Seattle and Sacramento groups for more information. There's no one big issue that needs to be addressed, but rather a "bunch of little things," according to Taylor, who recognizes the need to move the process along (all Twitter links).
- Daniels also confirms (via Twitter) that the Maloofs have sent the NBA a letter asking the league to approve its sale agreement to the Seattle group. According to Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter links), the Maloofs believe the Sacramento offer carries "unacceptable risk" and noted that it doesn't match Seattle's bid, though Stern suggested it's in the same ballpark "with regard to the net result" to the Maloofs (Twitter link via NBA.com's Scott-Howard Cooper).
- Stern confirmed today that the league is treating the Sacramento bid as submitted, even though it hasn't been signed by the Maloofs, tweets TNT's David Aldridge.
- One owner told Berger that the Seattle/Sacramento debate could still go either way, saying it was "50-50" at the moment (Twitter link). According to Stern and Silver, the NBA isn't trying to influence the owners to vote either way (Twitter links via Windhorst and Zillgitt).
Pat Riley On Big Three, Andersen, Spoelstra
Heat president Pat Riley held court with the media today for the first time since July, and offered insight on how the 66-win Heat were built, as well as a few hints about his plan to keep the defending champs together. Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com all provide detail. We'll round it up here:
- Riley suggested the team may need a new, high-dollar local television contract to absorb the tax hit necessary to keep LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh together beyond 2014, when they can all opt out and become free agents. A report last summer suggested the team was in talks with Fox Sports about a deal that would pay them $80MM-$100MM per season, but both the team and Fox denied it.
- Riley thinks keeping the team together is "doable" and said the front office has already begun to craft its plan for doing so, but said it's ultimately up to Micky Arison to decide how much he wants to shell out.
- Coach Erik Spoelstra was the driving force behind the team's midseason acquisition of Chris Andersen. "If I got another text from (Spoelstra) about getting Chris Andersen, I was going to put my hands around his neck," Riley quipped.
- Riley declined comment on Spoelstra's contract, which runs out after next season.
- The team believes Wade can handle point guard duties in case Mario Chalmers or Norris Cole goes down, and that's why they didn't seek more depth at the position this season.
- It doesn't seem as though the Heat will fully embrace analytics anytime soon, as Riley said proponents of advance metrics "make me squeamy a little bit," Haberstroh tweets.
Dennis Schroeder To Enter Draft
German point guard Dennis Schroeder will enter the draft, agent Ademola Okulaja tells Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com (Twitter link). The speedy 6'2" 19-year-old projects as a second-rounder who could climb into the first, as Chad Ford of ESPN.com ranks him 55th overall among draft prospects, while Givony tabs him 31st.
Schroeder is taking part in the Nike Hoop Summit set for tomorrow in Portland, as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports tweets. The event pits top American high school seniors against a team of some of the best players age 19 and under from around the world.
A strong performance tomorrow could help Schroeder ascend draft boards, but if he falters, he can withdraw from the draft anytime before June 17th and continue playing overseas. College students who've declared for the draft can no longer pull out and return to school now that this week's deadline to do so has passed.
Thunder Assign Jones, Lamb, Liggins To D-League
The Thunder have assigned Perry Jones, Jeremy Lamb, and DeAndre Liggins to the D-League, the team announced today in a press release. The trio will join the Tulsa 66ers in time for the first game of Tulsa's playoff series with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers tonight.
When Jones, Lamb, and Liggins were recalled to the Thunder on Monday after the 66ers defeated the Canton Charge in the first round of the D-League playoffs, I speculated that they could rejoin OKC's D-League affiliate for the second round. We'll see if the three youngsters are recalled for the Thunder's series against the Rockets, or whether the team prefers to have them continue playing major minutes in the D-League postseason.