Gregg Popovich Wins Coach Of The Year
Gregg Popovich has won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award, the league announced, joining Pat Riley and Don Nelson as the only three-time winners of the honor. It’s the second such award in three years for the Spurs coach, who was also the top coach in 2012 and 2003.
Popovich garnered 59 out of a possible 124 first-place votes, with Jeff Hornacek of the Suns finishing second in just his first season as an NBA coach. Tom Thibodeau finished third, followed by Steve Clifford, Dwane Casey, Terry Stotts and Doc Rivers among coaches who received first-place votes.
Popovich led the Spurs to the league’s best record of 62-20, all the while managing minutes for Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, San Antonio’s trio of stars over the age of 30. With Rick Adelman‘s retirement Monday, Popovich is the NBA’s active career wins leader, having racked up 967 regular season victories since taking over the team in the middle of the 1996/97 season.
Last year’s Coach of the Year, George Karl, found himself out of a job in the offseason, but that almost certainly won’t happen with Popovich, who’s firmly ensconced in the Spurs organization. He’s the NBA’s longest-tenured coach by more than a decade.
K.J. McDaniels Plans To Declare For Draft
Clemson junior K.J. McDaniels plans to announce that he’s entering the draft this week, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The small forward is 21st in the prospect rankings that Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress compiles, and he’s 22nd with Chad Ford of ESPN.com.
McDaniels showed significant improvement this year, with his scoring average jumping to 17.1 points per game from the 10.9 PPG he put up as a sophomore in spite of fairly similar playing time. He also grabbed 7.1 rebounds and blocked 2.8 shots per game this season, impressive numbers for the 6’6″ small forward who excelled on the defensive end of the floor.
On offense, the 21-year-old shot the ball from the outside a bit too much considering his 30.4% accuracy from behind the arc. McDaniels averaged 3.8 three-point shot attempts per contest.
And-Ones: Celtics, Rockets, Draft, Price, Parker
Celtics GM Danny Ainge says he doesn’t feel pressure from ownership to make a big trade like the one that brought Kevin Garnett to Boston, writes Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe. “I don’t think that would be very smart, to put pressure on myself,” Ainge said. “That one happened to work out and we were very fortunate that Minnesota was moving in a different direction, that they loved Al Jefferson, and so we were able to get a deal done. But there’s been a lot of deals that I thought we had a way better chance of doing that we couldn’t end up doing.” More from around the Association..
- The Rockets announced (via Twitter) that Robert Covington and Isaiah Canaan have been reassigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the D-League. Covington and Canaan have been bounced back and forth from the Rockets’ varsity squad to the D-League affiliate a number of times this season, as shown in our running list of assignments and recalls for the 2013/14 season.
- Veteran Ronnie Price is happy to help take on a leadership role with the young Magic, writes Ken Hornack of FOX Sports Florida. “This year has been kind of refreshing for me in a lot of ways,” the 30-year-old guard said. “And I can’t really explain where it came from or why I feel that way. I feel like a kid again. I really enjoy the game.” Price will be a free agent this summer and if Jameer Nelson winds up elsewhere, Hornack writes that Orlando can’t afford to get too young at the point guard position.
- Spurs stars Tony Parker and Tim Duncan have found success together, but their relationship did not start off on such spectacular terms, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. “He didn’t talk to me for a whole year,” Parker said, reflecting on his rookie season in 2001/02. “It was kind of weird coming from France and you have your superstar player that doesn’t talk to you as a point guard, it’s kind of tough, you know? Because you’re supposed to talk to everybody.“
Pacific Rumors: Griffin, Warriors, Lakers
Before drafting Blake Griffin with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, the Clippers gave him a personality test to better understand his mind, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. That test pegged the power forward as a classic perfectionist who tackles uncertainty with hard work. Head coach Doc Rivers learned of Griffin’s tireless work ethic when he came to Los Angeles and he is quite appreciative of it. More out of the Pacific Division..
- The Warriors have abandoned their former Piers 30/32 plan and instead have bought land a little further south, according to Joe Eskenazi of SF Weekly. The new proposed move will still put them in San Francisco and should take place in 2018/19.
- Even though Jim and Jeanie Buss say the family is committed to keeping the team, a “yes” vote by four Buss siblings could force the sale of the Lakers, writes Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. If that happens, the Chicago investment group Guggenheim Partners, owner of the Dodgers, would eagerly jump into the bidding. The group envisions employing former Lakers star Magic Johnson as the ceremonial face of the franchise, a role he currently holds with the Dodgers.
- When Rivers was asked about J.J. Redick‘s claim that the Clippers coach was the reason he came to L.A., Rivers quipped, “You sure it wasn’t that $6 or $7MM?,” tweets Sam Amick of USA Today.
Knicks, Steve Kerr Deep Into Discussions
The Knicks and Steve Kerr are deep into discussions for the former GM and Phil Jackson pupil to take over as the team’s next head coach, a person familiar with the situation told Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today Sports.
On Friday we learned that Kerr has been expecting the Knicks to offer them the job once they officially dispatched Mike Woodson. The former Bulls guard has reportedly been the front-runner for the job for a while, and his name was linked to the Knicks as a possible candidate even when the team was still negotiating its deal with Jackson.
Several teams apparently would like to bring Kerr aboard as an executive, but his focus is on coaching. Marc Berman of the New York Post recently suggested Jim Cleamons as a potential candidate to become the top assistant coach for the Knicks if they hire Kerr as head coach.
Knicks Notes: Woodson, Smith, Jackson, Kerr
Earlier today, the Knicks made the move that we’ve long expected when they fired coach Mike Woodson. Pending free agent Carmelo Anthony threw his support behind Woodson last week, which some thought would give him a puncher’s chance, but it wasn’t enough to save his job. The latest from MSG..
- J.R. Smith knew that Woodson would lose his job, but that didn’t make it any easier for him to digest, the Knicks guard told ESPN’s Josina Anderson (via ESPNNewYork.com’s Ian Begley). “It is sad,” Smith said. “He was great to me. I think I got a fair shake for the first time in awhile under him. He treated me how he wanted to be treated. It sucks, but there is nothing I can do about it.”
- The dismissal of Woodson is just the beginning of the offseason overhaul for the Knicks, writes Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. The change will begin with dissolving the marriage between the Garden and Creative Artists Agency. CAA represents two key members of the front office, Allan Houston and Mark Warkentien, and has close ties to GM Steve Mills. All three are likely to be cut loose or pushed into new roles. Meanwhile, while Steve Kerr is being talked about as the frontrunner to get Woodson’s old job, Beck suggests that Fred Hoiberg and Kevin Ollie, who have both made quick impressions in the college ranks, could put themselves in the mix.
- Steve Kerr reportedly wants the Knicks’ head coaching job, but he should be careful what he wishes for, cautions Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com. “New York is famous for chants, and you know you’ll hear ‘We want Phil’ in the Garden after they lose four in a row,” said one longtime league official with ties to the Knicks. “If the head coach is Steve Kerr or someone else, he’ll have to be strong and understand that something like that is going to happen. He’ll have to understand that it’s not a knock on him, but a testament to Phil’s greatness. And then it’s up to Phil to protect his coach from that.“
- More from Begley, who handicapped the field of candidates to become the next coach of the Knicks. Kerr leads the way with 2-1 odds. Brian Shaw is a 15-1 pick and Jackson himself is at 50-1 odds.
Central Rumors: Griffin, Cavs, Bucks, Pistons
While nothing is etched in stone, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (on Twitter) hears that the “feel inside” the organization is that David Griffin will be the Cavs‘ GM next season. There has been question about whether Griffin would be retained or if he might jump ship to take the now vacant Pistons’ GM job. More out of the Central..
- Once the front office is in place, the source tells Amico (link) that the Cavs will seek “honest opinions” from players and management on whether they truly believe in coach Mike Brown.
- The NBA has the right to buy back the Bucks from incoming owners Wesley Edens and Mark Lasry if a deal to a bring a new arena to the city is not in place by November 2017, sources briefed on the situation tell Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The team, purchased for $550MM, can be bought back by the league for $575MM in construction isn’t underway by the deadline. One source added that the league would likely only take that step if it didn’t see “significant progress” by then.
- Former Pistons executive Scott Perry could be ready for his shot as General Manager, writes Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News. Perry had two stints with the Pistons, first as a college scout (2000-02) and then director of player personnel (2002-07) before leaving then returning as Vice President from 2008-12. Perry, along with Thunder assistant GM Troy Weaver, Warriors assistant GM Travis Schlenk, Celtics assistant GM Michael Zarren and Griffin, are the hot names Detroit will likely interview.
- Questions swirl as the Cavaliers enter the offseason, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer. It remains to be seen who will stay and who will go, and that includes from Griffin, coach Mike Brown, free agents Luol Deng and Spencer Hawes, and even star Kyrie Irving.
Northwest Notes: Jazz, Corbin, Trail Blazers
Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard is rarely rattled on the basketball court, writes Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. “[Sunday night] was a Damian Lillard performance,” Head coach Terry Stotts said. “Damian rises to the occasion. For all those people who were wanting to know if he was ready for the playoffs, I think he answered that question, so we don’t have to answer that anymore. He made big plays. The three was big, getting to the rim was big, making free throws – it was a big time performance.” The latest out of the Northwest Division..
- Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today (on Twitter) says that Tyrone Corbin had some support from Jazz leadership but not enough in basketball operations to get an extension with the team.
- In an afternoon press conference, Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey called Corbin “a man of dignity, class, and integrity,” tweets Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. Lindsey also explained that he hasn’t picked out a successor yet (link). “Literally we haven’t had one conversation with regards to other names. … Now that the decisions closed we’ll meet quickly,” said the GM.
- Even though Jim Boylen might fit Lindsey’s vision and is an outstanding coach, he’d be a very tough sell for Jazz fans, opines Steve Luhm of the Salt Lake Tribune (on Twitter). He also wouldn’t have a honeymoon period and would be expected to deliver wins off the bat.
- Guard Dee Bost, who was waived by the Trail Blazers in October, signed a deal in Venezuela with Trotamundos de Carabobo, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The player spent the season in D-League with the Idaho Stampede averaging 15.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 2.1 steals in 50 games.
Joakim Noah Wins Defensive Player Of The Year
4:55pm: The Bulls confirmed the news via press release. Noah collected 555 out of a possible 1,125 points, including 100 out of a possible 125 first-place votes. Pacers center Roy Hibbert (166 points, eight first-place votes) and Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan (121 points, eight first-place votes) came in second and third, respectively.
12:46pm: Bulls center Joakim Noah has won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, according to Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com (Twitter link). K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune confirms the report (on Twitter). The award is not one of the honors that reportedly would trigger an unlikely bonus, so the news doesn’t have bearing on Chicago’s team salary, which has been close to the tax line this season. The official announcement is set for later today.
Noah finished fourth in the voting for the award last season, behind winner Marc Gasol, even though Noah, and not Gasol, was on the league’s All-Defensive First Team. Writers vote for the Defensive Player of the Year award, while coaches vote for the All-Defensive teams, which accounts for the discrepancy.
The anchor of Chicago’s defense averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals this season. The Bulls were the second most efficient defense in the league this season, per NBA.com, and though they were only slightly less efficient when Noah was off the floor, it was clear his combination of athleticism and 6’11” size helped the team seal off the basket.
Jazz Likely To Target Jim Boylen For Coach
Spurs assistant coach Jim Boylen will likely be a candidate for the Jazz head coaching vacancy, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). He’s not to be confused with Cavs assistant Jim Boylan, the former interim head coach of the Bulls and Bucks.
GM Dennis Lindsey, a former Spurs executive, wants a defensive-minded coach who believes in analytics, tweets Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. The team is likely to tap into Lindsey’s San Antonio connections for their next hire, whether it’s Boylen or someone else, according to USA Today’s Sam Amick (on Twitter).
Boylen was the head coach at the University of Utah from 2007-11, and he was with the Pacers prior to joining the Spurs staff this past offseason. He was an assistant coach for the Bucks, Warriors and Rockets before taking the University of Utah job.